Definition

1. Noun:
   • A twilled fabric used for dresses; the warp is silk and the weft is worsted: "Bombazine" refers to a specific type of fabric with a twill weave, traditionally made with silk warp threads and worsted wool weft threads. It is known for its dull, matte finish and was historically significant for formal and somber attire.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The Victorian widow's dress was made of heavy black bombazine.
  • Bombazine was a popular choice for mourning garments in the 19th century.

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Textile Context: The term is primarily used in historical, costume, or textile discussions to describe a material common in past centuries.
  • The museum's costume collection features several gowns constructed from bombazine.

Variants and Related Words

• Bombasine: An alternate, less common spelling for the same fabric.
  • The historical record listed the material as "bombasine".

Synonyms

• Twill: A general term for the type of weave used in bombazine.
• Worsted: Refers to the type of wool yarn used in the weft of bombazine.

Notes on Meaning

• The word "bombazine" is highly specific and archaic. Its primary and almost exclusive association is with mourning attire from the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly in the color black. It is rarely used in contemporary language outside of historical or academic contexts describing period clothing.

Noun

1. a twilled fabric used for dresses; the warp is silk and the weft is worsted
   • black bombazine is frequently used for mourning garments