organza

Where does the word "organza" come from? It comes from Italian organzino, passing through French before entering English (1820).

Organza’s story begins in Italian: organzino meant “a type of strong silk thread.” A strong, twisted silk thread used in fine weaving; ultimate origin unknown. By 1600s, the word had taken hold in French as organsin. The French form of the Italian silk-thread term, known in English as "organzine". It reached English by 1820 as organza. Settled as the English word for the sheer, crisp silk-like fabric. Today, organza means a thin, sheer, crisp fabric made of silk or synthetic fiber.

1. Stage 1 · Italian · medieval organzino "a type of strong silk thread", a strong, twisted silk thread used in fine weaving; ultimate origin unknown.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1600s organsin "a strong silk thread", the French form of the Italian silk-thread term, known in English as "organzine".
3. Stage 3 · English · 1820 organza "a sheer, crisp fabric", settled as the English word for the sheer, crisp silk-like fabric.