Definition

Noun: A coarse, stiff fabric, historically made from a mixture of silk and wool or mohair, and often stiffened with gum.

Usage

"Grogram" is a historical term for a specific type of fabric. It is used as a mass noun (uncountable) to refer to the material itself. * The admiral's cloak was made of durable, weather-resistant grogram. * In the 18th century, grogram was commonly used for military garments.

Advanced Usage

• The term is almost exclusively used in historical or costume contexts.
• It is the fabric from which the drink "grog" indirectly gets its name, as Admiral Edward Vernon, who ordered the dilution of sailors' rum, was nicknamed "Old Grog" for his grogram cloak.

Variants and Related Words

• Grogram is the standard spelling. An archaic variant is grogram.
• Grosgrain: A modern fabric with a similar ribbed texture, but typically made of silk or rayon and not stiffened with gum. It is a distinct fabric but shares a linguistic root.

Synonyms

• Fustian (a broader term for a class of coarse, sturdy fabrics, often of cotton)
• Buckram (a stiffened fabric, often of linen or cotton, used for interfacing or bookbinding)

Notes on Meaning

This word has one primary meaning as a type of fabric. Its usage is now rare and specialized.

Noun

1. a coarse fabric of silk mixed with wool or mohair and often stiffened with gum