pongee

[ pon-jee, pon-jee ]

noun

1. silk of a slightly uneven weave made from filaments of wild silk woven in natural tan color.
2. a cotton or rayon fabric imitating it. Compare Shantung ( def 2 ), tussah ( def 1 ).

pongee

/ ˈpɒndʒiː; pɒnˈdʒiː /

noun

1. a thin plain-weave silk fabric from China or India, left in its natural colour
2. a cotton or rayon fabric similar to or in imitation of this, but not necessarily in the natural colour

Word History and Origins

Origin of pongee¹

First recorded in 1705–15, pongee is from the Chinese word běnjī homewoven, literally, one's own loom

Word History and Origins

Origin of pongee¹

C18: from Mandarin Chinese (Peking) pen-chī woven at home, on one's own loom, from pen own + chi loom

Example Sentences

I dressed up in a new white pongee suit, which 14 is very becoming to Jeremiah, and I wore my best round white hemp hat.

From Project Gutenberg

She was wearing a gown of Nile green pongee, heavily trimmed with expensive ecru lace.

From Project Gutenberg

I am not aware that public personages clothe their limbs in Pongee silk.

From Project Gutenberg

Pongee is a beautiful, durable silk in different shades of natural color.

From Project Gutenberg

The tan pongee dress she wore set off her dark hair and expressive, bluish-gray eyes.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• fiber
• taffeta
• thread
• tulle