bombazine

[ bom-buh-zeen, bom-buh-zeen ]

noun

1. a twill fabric constructed of a silk or rayon warp and worsted filling, often dyed black for mourning wear.

bombazine

/ ˌbɒmbəˈziːn; ˈbɒmbəˌziːn /

noun

1. a twilled fabric, esp one with a silk warp and worsted weft, formerly worn dyed black for mourning

Word History and Origins

Origin of bombazine¹

1545–55; earlier bombasin < Middle French < Medieval Latin bombasinum, variant of bombȳcinum, noun use of neuter of Latin bombȳcinus silken < Greek bombȳ́kinos, equivalent to bombȳk-, stem of bómbȳx “silkworm” + -inos -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of bombazine¹

C16: from Old French bombasin , from Latin bombӯcinus silken, from bombyx silkworm, silk; see bombacaceous

Example Sentences

Queen Victoria had the reputation of being a humorless, dour battleaxe, a Terminator in bombazine.

From The Daily Beast

I'm sure you look very nice in your bombazine; and it's very nicely made up.

From Project Gutenberg

I experienced the first symptom of this epidemic at a bombazine ball in the city of Norwich.

From Project Gutenberg

The faded gentlewoman was affected the same way and even Cousin Park's bombazine basque unbent a bit.

From Project Gutenberg

Black priests are plenty in the streets, walking about in bombazine robes, with the crisp hair shaven from their crowns.

From Project Gutenberg

No one could deny that she was a superb creature, even in that cheap bombazine dress and gloomy black bonnet.

From Project Gutenberg