dimity

• dimmity

From earlier dimite, from Middle English demit, demyt, from Medieval Latin dimitum, from Byzantine Greek δίμιτον (dímiton), from Ancient Greek δίμιτος (dímitos, “of double thread”).

dimity (countable and uncountable, plural dimities)

1. (dated in general use, now textiles) A light strong fabric with woven stripes or squares. [From 15th c.]
   • 1717, T. Williams, The Accomplished Housekeeper, and Universal Cook‎, page 134:

     Strain the ſoup through a piece of dimity into a clean ſaucepan, and let it ſtew till it is of the thickneſs of cream.

   • 1831, John Murphy, A Treatise on the Art of Weaving, Glasgow, page 42:

     The first of these tweels, in respect to the number of leaves, is the dimity cord, which is merely the three leafed tweel turned, a plan of which is subjoined, both for cording and treading.

   • 1840, "A Lady", The Workwoman's Guide‎, page 42:

     The drapery should always be perfectly white, of dimity, twilled muslin, or other neat strong material.

   • 2009 Fall, Rabbit Goody, Jill Mancy, Interiors: Bug Bars & Slipcovers, Early Homes, page 20,

     Period slipcovers were typically made of linen and cotton, in woven checks or striped dimities.

dimity (plural dimities)

1. Alternative form of dimmity (“dusk, twilight”).
   • 1958, T[erence] H[anbury] White, chapter XI, in The Once and Future King, New York, N.Y.: G. P. Putnam's Sons, →ISBN, book I (The Sword in the Stone):

     The twilight fell mistily—it was the first of the autumn mists—and in the dimity the undispersed families of the tawny owl called to each other, the young with keewick and the old with the proper hooroo, hooroo.