A soft, luxurious wool obtained from cashmere goats, or fabric made from this wool. Known for its exceptional warmth and softness.
Named after Kashmir, the region in northern India where this fine wool was traditionally produced and traded. The word entered English in the 17th century through British merchants who encountered these luxury textiles in Kashmir, though the spelling was later anglicized from the original Kashmir.
Cashmere comes from the undercoat of goats living in the harsh winters of Kashmir, where temperatures drop to -40°F! Each goat produces only about 4 ounces of this precious fiber per year, making it one of the world's most expensive natural fibers.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.