Cambric

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A delicate and lightweight textile, typically woven from cotton, commonly utilized in a variety of clothing and household applications
2. This fabric, known for its softness and lightness, is often employed in the production of garments and other textile goods
3. A fine, lightweight cotton material, recognized for its smooth texture, is frequently used in apparel and household items

Etymology: Cambric is a fine, lightweight linen (or sometimes cotton) cloth, and its name is a place name. It takes its name from Cambrai, a town in northern France, where this fabric was made. The town's connection to textiles is what gives the cloth its name, so the word records a manufacturing centre rather than any quality of the material itself. Cambrai's fine linen was prized enough that the place name stuck to the product. Over time, the name shifted from a description of where the cloth came from to the name of the cloth itself, which is why the word now refers only to the fabric and no longer points to the town.

Synonyms: linen, fabric, cloth, textile, material