serge

/sərdʒ/

Other forms: serges

Serge is a strong fabric that's usually made from wool and is often used in military uniforms. The way serge is woven creates diagonal ribbing on the front and back.

Serge sounds just like surge, but the two words have entirely different meanings and derivations. The material serge is from the Medieval Latin sargium, "wool cloth mixed with silk," and a root meaning "silken." You probably wouldn't describe modern serge as "silken," though — the sturdy fabric is actually famously rough and itchy, especially when it's worn next to the skin.

Definitions of serge

1. noun

   a durable, woven wool fabric with raised diagonal lines
   type of:

   cloth, fabric, material, textile

   artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers