habutai

or ha·bu·tae

[ hah-buh-tahy ]

noun

1. a thin, soft, durable Japanese silk, used in the manufacture of garments.

Word History and Origins

Origin of habutai¹

1890–95; < Japanese habutae, equivalent to ha feathers (< fa < *pa ) + -butae, combining form of futa-e (< futa-f ( y ) e < *puta pe ) two layers

Example Sentences

Gersha Phillips, the costume designer who also made all the clothes for “Miles Ahead,” including a kimono in habutai, did not know how fashionable the trumpeter was until she started her research.

From New York Times

When the body has been washed, it is dressed in white, in silk habutai whenever the family can afford it.

From Project Gutenberg

The bed on which the Empress sleeps is made of heavy futons, or quilts, of white habutai wadded with silk wadding.

From Project Gutenberg

These curtains to be of habutai silk.

From Project Gutenberg