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Today it means

cashmere

fine soft wool from the Kashmir goat, or fabric made from it

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Where does the word "cashmere" come from? It comes from Sanskrit/Kashmiri Kashmir, and was adopted directly into English (1800s).

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Where does the word "cashmere" come from? It comes from Sanskrit/Kashmiri Kashmir, and was adopted directly into English (1800s).

Cashmere’s story begins in Sanskrit/Kashmiri: Kashmir meant “the region of Kashmir.” The Himalayan region famous for the fine wool of its mountain goats. It reached English by 1800s as cashmere. Kashmir shawls brought back by East India Company officers became a European fashion around 1800. Today, cashmere means fine soft wool from the Kashmir goat, or fabric made from it.

  1. Stage 1 · Sanskrit/Kashmiri · ancient Kashmir "the region of Kashmir", the Himalayan region famous for the fine wool of its mountain goats.
  2. Stage 2 · English · 1800s cashmere "fine soft wool from the Kashmir goat", Kashmir shawls brought back by East India Company officers became a European fashion around 1800.

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