Momme
/ˈmɒm.i/noun
A Japanese unit of weight, especially used to measure the density of silk fabrics, equal to about 3.75 grams.
Did you know?One momme is still used internationally in the silk trade: heavier silk has a higher momme count, turning an old Japanese measure into a modern quality code.
Etymological Timeline
Medieval Japan
Japanese
monme
“A unit of weight, traditionally associated with the weight of a mon coin”
Edo Period (1603–1868)
Japanese
匁
“A standard Japanese weight unit used in commerce, including the weighing of silver and textiles”
19th Century
Japanese
monme
“A measure adopted in the silk trade for expressing fabric weight”
19th Century
English
momme
“An English trade spelling of Japanese monme, used chiefly for silk”
Modern English
English
momme
“A silk-weight unit equal to approximately 3.75 grams”