Kerseymere

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈkəːzɪmɪə/

Definitions

1. A woolen cloth recognized for its plush texture and elegance, generally utilized in the production of apparel and home furnishings
2. This is a smooth and high-quality wool fabric, often found in upscale garments and decorative items
3. A fine woolen textile known for its softness and durability, commonly employed in the creation of luxurious clothing and upholstery items

Etymology: Kerseymere is an alteration of "cassimere," a fine twilled woollen cloth. The name is generally traced to Kashmir, the region whose shawls and weaving were admired in Europe, though the link to that place is a matter of likely association rather than documented fact. The cloth was valued for a soft, lightly napped surface and a close, refined weave, which is why it was prized for tailoring and, later, for upholstery. The change from "cassimere" to "kerseymere" is an alteration in form, and the second half of the word was probably reshaped by association with "kersey," another English woollen cloth, so the two names came to sound like relatives. Speakers were not changing the cloth itself, only the way the name sounded, and the reshaped spelling is the one that stuck.