lustrine

A tailor carefully cuts a piece of lustrine on his worktable.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A glossy fabric: "lustrine" (also spelled "lustring") refers to a type of smooth, shiny fabric, typically made from silk or a silk-like material, used in the 18th and 19th centuries for clothing and linings.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The dress was made of fine lustrine, giving it a brilliant sheen under the candlelight. (A glossy silk fabric used for formal attire.)
  • She wore a lustrine bonnet that reflected the sunlight. (A shiny fabric bonnet.)

Advanced Usage

• Historical context: "lustrine" was particularly popular in the 1700s for women's gowns and men's waistcoats, prized for its luster and smooth texture.
  • The merchant imported bolts of lustrine from France for the local aristocracy. (A type of glossy fabric traded internationally.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lustring (n): an alternative spelling of "lustrine."

  • Her gown was trimmed with lustring ribbons. (Shiny ribbon made from the same fabric.)

• Lustrous (adj): having a shiny, reflective quality (related in meaning but not directly derived from "lustrine").

  • The lustrous finish of the fabric made it ideal for evening wear. (Shiny appearance.)

Synonyms

• Satin: a smooth, glossy fabric often made from silk.
• Silk taffeta: a crisp, lustrous fabric with a rustling sound.
• Glossy cloth: any fabric with a shiny surface.

Related Idioms

• "To shine like lustrine": an idiomatic expression (rare) meaning to be exceptionally bright or polished.
  • Her hair shone like lustrine in the morning light. (Her hair was very glossy.)