organdie

British  

/ ˈɔːɡəndɪ /

noun

1. a fine and slightly stiff cotton fabric used esp for dresses

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Etymology

Origin of organdie

C19: from French organdi, of unknown origin

Explanation

Organdie is a crisp, sheer fabric made of silk or cotton. Old-fashioned, formal children's clothes with big, stiff, ruffles are often made of organdie. Organdie is so fine that it's nearly translucent, but a special finish is usually applied to make it stiff and prevent wrinkling. Light summer dresses are sometimes made of organdie with a lighter finish, while fancy organdie curtains tend to be much stiffer. The word's origin, beyond the French organdi, is a bit of a mystery, though it may stem from Organzi, an Uzbek city that was once a textile center.

Example Sentences

In this lesser-known story by Noel Streatfeild, Selina Cole is growing up in post-war England, with no occasions to wear an organdie dress with a blue satin sash.

From The Guardian • Jul. 12, 2012

The wedding dress was sleeveless white organdie, with white satin flowers appliquéd on the neck and the bust.

From The New Yorker • Aug. 30, 2010

She thinks we shouldn't wear organdie blouses or put red polish on our fingernails.

From Time Magazine Archive

So Lady Astor arrived in the House clad in a blue Peter Pan frock, with a white organdie collar, white cuffs and straw mushroom hat.

From Time Magazine Archive

Bab and Mollie were also expecting an express package of fresh clothes and their organdie dresses, which they felt, now, they would assuredly need.

From The Automobile Girls Along the Hudson Fighting Fire in Sleepy Hollow by Crane, Laura Dent