This glossary presents 80 items of textile terminology that are found in the Chinese documents from Dunhuang and Turfan, or in historical texts. Some of these terms can be identified with actual textiles found at sites in north-western China. Readers should be aware that there are variations in textile terminology in this international field of research: for example, we have used “plain weave” where other textile specialists might prefer “tabby”; and “damask” where others might prefer “twill”.