Also 8 kassimere, 9 casimire. [in F. casimir (‘mot récent’), Sp. casimiro, Ger. kasimir. Another form of CASHMERE; the country was called Keshimur by Marco Polo, Queximir by Barros, Kachemire by Bernier, Cassimer by Herbert 1665.]
A thin fine twilled woollen cloth used for men’s clothes. Cf. KERSEYMERE.
[1704. Dryden, Aurungz., III. i. (Y.). The Queen of Cassimere.
1784. in Seton-Karr, Sel. Calcutta Gaz., I. 46–7 (Y.). For Sale…. Superfine cambrics and edgings … scarlet and blue cassimeres.
1814. J. Forbes, Oriental Mem., III. 177 (Y.). The shawls of Cassimer and the silks of Iran.]
1774. Westm. Mag., II. 259. The favourite Riding-Dress is a light-coloured Cassimere, lined with different coloured silks.
1807–8. W. Irving, Salmag. (1826), 77. His white cassimere small clothes.
1822. Byron, Juan, IX. xliii. Brilliant breeches … Of yellow casimire.
1842. Bischoff, Woollen Manuf., II. 421. Coatings, cassimeres, hosiery.
1843. Carlyle, Past & Pr. (1858), 203. Of fustian, of cassimere, of Scotch-plaid.
