Serge
/sɜːrdʒ/noun
A durable twilled fabric, usually made of wool, often used for clothing and uniforms.
Did you know?Serge ultimately comes from the same Latin root as words tied to silk, showing how fabric names can preserve ancient trade networks long after the original material changed.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ser-
“to twist, wind, or bind”
Latin
Latin
sericum
“silk; silk cloth”
Late Latin
Latin
serica
“silk fabric”
Old French
Old French
serge
“a strong twilled fabric”
Middle English
English
serge
“a woolen twilled cloth”
Modern English
English
serge
“a durable twilled fabric, usually wool”
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