A fine linen or cotton fabric with horizontal ribs or stripes, historically used for clothing and decorative purposes.
From French cartisane, possibly derived from Italian carisea or from the name of a place known for textile production. The exact origin is uncertain, but the term emerged in medieval European textile trade.
Cartisane was the kind of fancy fabric that showed up in royal wardrobes and expensive garments during the Renaissance—it was basically the luxury fabric brand of its time, valued for its crisp texture and distinctive ribbed appearance.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.