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

In truth, he thought she looked very pretty in it, better than in grogram or in linsey-woolsey, although at double the cost.

From The Golden Dog by Kirby, William

An' here, they'n gi'en you lots o' good grogram and flannel, as should ha' been gi'en by good rights to them as had the sense to keep away from such foolery.

From Adam Bede by Eliot, George

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

"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

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