grogram

American  

[grog-ruhm] / ˈgrɒg rəm /

noun

1. a coarse fabric of silk, of silk and mohair or wool, or of wool, formerly in use.

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grogram British  

/ ˈɡrɒɡrəm /

noun

1. a coarse fabric of silk, wool, or silk mixed with wool or mohair, often stiffened with gum, formerly used for clothing

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Etymology

Origin of grogram

From Middle French gros grain, dating back to 1555–65. See grosgrain

Explanation

Grogram is a type of fabric that's a mix of silk and wool. Grogram was once commonly used to make clothes, but it’s kind of scratchy so people don’t use it much anymore. Combine silk with wool (or mohair) and what do you get? Grogram (if it's woven rather coarsely and/or stiffened with gum). The original French term was gros grain, for "coarse grain.” Grogram was once commonly used, but it had pretty much finished its time in the fashion spotlight by the 19th century. The more generic term grosgrain refers to similar material today. Since grogram is rough, it was good for making a jacket but not ideal for underwear.

Example Sentences

"Plain Goody" would no longer down, 'Twas "Madam," in her grogram gown.

From The Poems of Jonathan Swift, D.D., Volume 1 by Browning, William Ernst

The commodities received from thence are chiefly raw silk, grogram yarn, dyeing stuffs of sundry kinds, drugs, soap; leather, cotton, and some fruit, oil, &c.

From London in 1731 by Gonzales, Don Manoel

He stood opposite to Amy for some moments, then said, with a smile, 'I was wrong about the grogram.

From The Heir of Redclyffe by Yonge, Charlotte Mary

Plain Goody would no longer down, ’Twas Madam, in her grogram gown.

From The Battle of the Books and other Short Pieces by Swift, Jonathan

Sir Marmaduke had been very kind, had given him a new suit of grogram, lined with flowered silk, which Lambert thought the richest garment he had ever seen.

From The Nest of the Sparrowhawk by Orczy, Emmuska Orczy, Baroness