pongee

[ pon-jee, pon-jee ]

noun

1. silk of a slightly uneven weave made from filaments of wild silk woven in natural tan color.
2. a cotton or rayon fabric imitating it. Compare Shantung ( def 2 ), tussah ( def 1 ).

pongee

/ pɒnˈdʒiː; ˈpɒndʒiː /

noun

1. a thin plain-weave silk fabric from China or India, left in its natural colour
2. a cotton or rayon fabric similar to or in imitation of this, but not necessarily in the natural colour

Word History and Origins

Origin of pongee¹

First recorded in 1705–15, pongee is from the Chinese word běnjī homewoven, literally, one's own loom

Word History and Origins

Origin of pongee¹

C18: from Mandarin Chinese (Peking) pen-chī woven at home, on one's own loom, from pen own + chi loom

Example Sentences

For a visit to the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles, my grandmother sewed the girls white pongee dresses with red and blue belts, and matching red and blue capelets.

From New York Times

Cotillard’s colorful minidress in silk organdy and pongee, which sported a turtleneck, was made up of screws, beads, buttons and bits of beer cans.

From Washington Times

Cotillard's colorful minidress in silk organdy and pongee, which sported a turtleneck, was made up of screws, beads, buttons and bits of beer cans.

From US News

“And don’t forget our automobile coats,” exclaimed Mollie proudly, as she shook out her long pongee duster, last year’s Christmas gift from Ruth.

From Project Gutenberg

Belle and her party were waiting on the piazza, the women in long pongee coats with the very latest motor bonnets and veils.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• fiber
• taffeta
• thread
• tulle