Cambric
/ˈkæm.brɪk/noun
A finely woven, lightweight cloth originally made of linen.
Did you know?Cambric is one of those textile words that preserves a place-name in disguise, because the fabric was historically associated with Cambrai in northern France.
Etymological Timeline
Late Middle English
English
cambric
“A fine linen cloth imported from northern France or the Low Countries.”
Middle French
French
cambric / cambrique
“Fine cloth, especially linen cloth associated with Cambrai.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
cambresium
“Cloth from Cambrai.”
Old French
French
Cambrai
“The town in northern France whose name became linked with the cloth.”
Celtic / Roman period
Gaulish / Latin
Cambrai
“A place-name of uncertain origin, later Latinized and attached to the textile trade.”