gabardine

Definition

A type of woolen cloth with a diagonal ribbed texture on one side.

Etymology

Recorded since 1904, altering the earlier gaberdine (“long, coarse outer garment”) (since 1520), from Spanish gabardina (perhaps influenced by gabán (“overcoat”) and tabardina (“coarse coat”)), from Middle French galverdine, itself probably from (Old or Middle) High German wallevart (“pilgrimage”), in the sense of “pilgrim's cloak” (from wallen (“to ambulate”) + vart (“journey”)).

Example Sentences

• "The merchant found gabardines with finer ribs sold better here."
• "You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog, And spet upon my Jewish gabardine, And all for use of that which is mine own."