Bombasine

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A fine textile, typically woven from a mix of silk and wool, is known for its lightweight and soft qualities, making it ideal for elegant garments and formal wear
2. This delicate fabric combines silk and wool to produce a soft, lightweight construction, favored in fashion for its durability and luxurious feel
3. A luxurious fabric made from a blend of silk and wool, known for its softness and lightweight quality, is often sought after for elegant attire and formal garments

Etymology: Bombasine is simply a variant spelling of bombazine, and the fabric's name traces back to the silkworm. The word goes through Middle French "bombasin" and Late Latin "bombasinum," and ultimately to the Greek "bombyx," meaning silkworm, which is also the source of the modern scientific name for the silk moth family. The fabric's name thus records its origin in silk, even though the finished cloth was typically a blend. The cloth itself was a twill or similar weave with a silk warp and a worsted or wool weft, prized for being soft yet hard-wearing. The "bomb-" part of the name is the same Greek root that lies behind the silkworm, so the fabric is named for its most prestigious ingredient rather than for the wool that made it affordable.