carded

Carded is the past participle of the verb card and an adjective used in several distinct domains to describe things that have been processed, issued, or encountered with a card. The exact meaning depends on context, including textiles, law enforcement, finance, and consumer services.

In textiles and fiber processing, carded refers to fibers that have undergone carding, a mechanical process that detangles, cleans, and aligns fibers to form a continuous strand. Carded fiber is generally less uniform and coarser than combed fiber and is used for certain fabrics, felts, and nonwoven materials.

In policing, particularly in some countries, carding denotes a practice of stopping individuals to request identification or information, often based on suspicion or location. People who are carded may have their ID checked or records created. The practice is controversial and subject to regulatory and legal scrutiny, with policies varying by jurisdiction.

In finance and cybercrime, carding refers to the illicit acquisition, sale, or use of credit card data. A carded dataset may include card numbers, expiration dates, and verification codes. Carding is illegal, and authorities pursue those who engage in it. In legitimate financial contexts, card-related processes involve proper authorization and authentication rather than illicit data theft.

Outside specialized contexts, carded can simply describe a person who has been issued a card, such as a loyalty, access, or membership card, or someone who is required to present a card for identity or age verification in a retail or service setting.