Also karsimir. [A corruption of CASSIMERE (q.v.), due to erroneous association with KERSEY.]
1. A twilled fine woollen cloth of a peculiar texture, one-third of the warp being always above, and two-thirds below each shoot of the weft.
1798. W. Taylor, in Monthly Rev., XXV. 577. The purple kerseymere, which is essentially requisite to this senatorial toga.
1802. Med. Jrnl., VIII. 254. That kind of cloth called Karsimir is best calculated for retaining the moisture.
1813. Sir R. Wilson, Priv. Diary, II. 187. Waggon loads of cotton goods and kerseymeres.
1876. Geo. Eliot, Dan. Der., xxxix. A figure … tall and physically impressive, even in his kid and kerseymere.
b. pl. (rarely sing.) Trousers made of kerseymere.
1840. Hood, Kilmansegg, Her first step, ii. If he had not lost some inches clear By looking down at his kerseymere.
1848. Thackeray, Bk. Snobs, xxiv. Stripes … proceeded to gut my portmanteau, and to lay out my black kerseymeres.
2. attrib. or as adj. Made of kerseymere.
1836. Marryat, Japhet, xi. Silk stockings, shoes, and white kerseymere kneed breeches.
1843. Borrow, Bible in Spain, lvii. 324/1. A man about sixty, dressed in a grey kerseymere coat.
