A thin, translucent fabric with a loose open weave, commonly used for medical dressings, curtains, and clothing. The fabric allows air and light to pass through while providing coverage and protection.
From Arabic qazz, referring to raw silk or a type of silk fabric, possibly derived from the place name Gaza where such fabrics were produced. The word entered Old French as gaze, then Middle English as gauze by the 16th century. The connection to Gaza reflects the city's historical importance in textile trade.
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