broadcloth

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a dense, smooth woolen cloth, historically woven wider than ordinary cloth and used for fine garments

   The undertaker arrived in a sober coat of black broadcloth.

2. 2
   noun

   a closely woven, smooth cotton or cotton-blend fabric used for shirts and other clothing

   She chose white broadcloth for the crisp formal shirt.

A compound of broad + cloth. In medieval and early modern trade it named fine woolen cloth woven to a broad standard width, in contrast with narrower fabrics. American usage later extended it to a smooth, tightly woven cotton fabric.

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