serge

¹

[ surj ]

noun

1. a twilled worsted or woolen fabric used especially for clothing.
2. cotton, rayon, or silk in a twill weave.

serge

²

[ surj ]

verb (used with object)

, serged, serg·ing.

1. to overcast (unfinished seams or edges, as in a fabric or rug), especially by machine, in order to prevent fraying.

Serge

³

[ surj; French serzh ]

noun

1. a male given name.

serge

/ sɜːdʒ /

noun

1. a twill-weave woollen or worsted fabric used for clothing
2. a similar twilled cotton, silk, or rayon fabric

Word History and Origins

Origin of serge¹

1350–1400; < French; replacing Middle English sarge < Middle French < Vulgar Latin *sārica, for Latin sērica ( lāna ) Chinese (wool), i.e., silk; seric-

Origin of serge²

Perhaps to be identified with serge ¹, though sense shift is unclear

Word History and Origins

Origin of serge¹

C14: from Old French sarge, from Vulgar Latin sārica (unattested), from Latin sēricum, from Greek sērikon silk, from sērikos silken, from sēr silkworm

Example Sentences

But the nanny gave him a sharp jerk to keep him near her serge skirts.

From Literature

He was a German Jewish refugee, a camp survivor, a prematurely aged, sweet-tempered man with rheumy eyes, who wore a double-breasted blue serge jacket, unbuttoned, and baggy brown pants.

From New York Times

For the girls, it was dotted Swiss and matching hair ribbons and sashes; for the boys, blue serge suits and Buster Brown collars, with red, generous bow ties.

From Literature

Biff Brannon changed his light seersucker trousers for dark-blue serge ones.

From Literature

She herself was in the dining room, pinning pattern pieces on a length of dark blue serge.

From Literature