Plush is best described as which of the following?

• A. A leak resistant zippered bag designed to contain a dead human body and body fluids.
• B. A finish created when base metal is coated by another metal via an electrolytic process.
• C. A woven cloth with a nap exceeding 1/8 inch.
• D. Thin sheets of wood glued together so that the grains are at right angles to one another; an odd number of sheets will be used so that the grain on the front and back will always run the same direction.

Answer: (C)

Plush describes a woven fabric finished with a raised surface, called a pile. When that nap (the height of the fibers on the surface) exceeds about 1/8 inch, the fabric is considered plush. That longer pile gives a soft, dense, velvety feel and appearance, which is why plush fabrics are favored for a luxurious, comforting look in funeral merchandise such as interior linings and drapery. The other options refer to something entirely different: a leak-resistant body bag, an electroplated metal finish, and plywood made from thin sheets with grain alternation. These do not describe fabric texture, so they don’t fit plush.