habutai

or ha·bu·tae

[ hah-buh-tahy ]

noun

1. a thin, soft, durable Japanese silk, used in the manufacture of garments.

Word History and Origins

Origin of habutai¹

1890–95; < Japanese habutae, equivalent to ha feathers (< fa < *pa ) + -butae, combining form of futa-e (< futa-f ( y ) e < *puta pe ) two layers

Example Sentences

When the body has been washed, it is dressed in white, in silk habutai whenever the family can afford it.

From Project Gutenberg

The bed on which the Empress sleeps is made of heavy futons, or quilts, of white habutai wadded with silk wadding.

From Project Gutenberg