fustian
- noun
- /ˈfʌstʃən/
- Archaic
:
fustán
- They wore rough garments of gray and brown fustian, knee-high boots of well-oiled leather.
- suit of fustian
Examples
-
He is suspicious-looking, furtive in his glance, hides himself under his Billy-cock hat, wears fustian, and lives, Brown tells us, among the worst thieves and cut-throats in London.
Academic text (1992) -
"Through the suit of fustian, Pickering says, O'Connor "symbolically" renounced his gentlemanly status, for "into the cloth was woven the shared experiences and identity of working-class life."
Academic text (1998) -
The craftsmen used durable fustian to make the sturdy upholstery for the old sofa.
-
In the past, fustian was a popular choice for making everyday clothing due to its strength.
-
He chose a jacket made of fustian for the winter, as it provided warmth and durability.
Compounds
Surface Forms
Etymology
Fustian for the cloth comes from an old medieval name fustaneum, probably from a place or style where this heavy fabric was made. The fabric was strong and slightly soft, so fustian still points to a thick, sturdy cloth used for clothes and furniture.
