Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Axminster \Ax"min*ster\, n., or Axminster carpet \Axminster
carpet\ .
   (a) [More fully chenille Axminster.] A variety of Turkey
       carpet, woven by machine or, when more than 27 inches
       wide, on a hand loom, and consisting of strips of worsted
       chenille so colored as to produce a pattern on a stout
       jute backing. It has a fine soft pile. So called from
       Axminster, England, where it was formerly (1755 -- 1835)
       made.
   (b) A similar but cheaper machine-made carpet, resembling
       moquette in construction and appearance, but finer and of
       better material.