cassimere: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / ArchaicHistorical / Technical (Textiles)
Quick answer
What does “cassimere” mean?
A fine, lightweight, twilled woollen cloth, typically used for making trousers.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A fine, lightweight, twilled woollen cloth, typically used for making trousers.
Historically, a high-quality wool fabric, often with a smooth finish, used for men's tailored clothing, especially in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is a variant spelling and pronunciation of 'cashmere', though it refers specifically to a woolen fabric, not the soft hair of the Kashmir goat.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant modern difference as the term is obsolete in both varieties. Historically, both regions used the term for a type of fabric.
Connotations
Historical, traditional tailoring, possibly upper-class attire in past centuries.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary use in both the UK and US. Might be encountered slightly more in UK contexts due to a stronger tradition of historical tailoring terminology.
Grammar
How to Use “cassimere” in a Sentence
[fabric] made of cassimere[garment] in cassimerea [adj] cassimere [noun]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cassimere” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The cassimere waistcoat was a staple of Regency fashion.
- He preferred cassimere breeches for riding.
American English
- The cassimere suit was ideal for the southern heat.
- A cassimere coat was listed in the inventory.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Potentially in historical studies, fashion history, or textile archaeology.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
In very specialised contexts of historical textile reproduction or vintage clothing restoration.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cassimere”
- Misspelling as 'cashmere' when referring to the historical fabric.
- Using it in modern contexts.
- Pronouncing it exactly like 'cashmere' (/kæʒˈmɪər/); the correct pronunciation has a hard /s/ sound.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Historically, they were variant spellings for similar fabrics, but today 'cashmere' specifically refers to the soft undercoat of the Kashmir goat, while 'cassimere' is an obsolete term for a fine, twilled woollen cloth.
You are most likely to encounter it in historical novels, accounts of 18th or 19th-century fashion, museum descriptions of period clothing, or very specialised texts on the history of textiles.
It is pronounced /ˈkæsɪmɪə/ in British English and /ˈkæsɪmɪr/ in American English, with a hard 'c' and 's' sound (CASS-i-meer), unlike 'cashmere' which often has a 'zh' sound (/kæʒˈmɪər/).
Only if you are deliberately creating a historical atmosphere or writing about historical fashion. In any contemporary context, it would be confusing and incorrect. Use specific modern fabric names like 'tropical wool' or 'lightweight worsted' instead.
A fine, lightweight, twilled woollen cloth, typically used for making trousers.
Cassimere is usually historical / technical (textiles) in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'CASSI' (like cassette, recording the past) and 'MERE' (just, only) – it's just a fabric from the past.
Conceptual Metaphor
FABRIC IS A RECORD OF THE PAST (historical artifact).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary modern status of the word 'cassimere'?