buckram

1 of 3

noun

buck·​ram ˈbə-krəm How to pronounce buckram (audio)
1
: a stiff-finished heavily sized fabric of cotton or linen used for interlinings in garments, for stiffening in millinery, and in bookbinding
2
archaic : stiffness, rigidity

buckram

2 of 3

adjective

: suggesting buckram especially in stiffness

buckram

3 of 3

verb

buckramed; buckraming; buckrams

transitive verb

1
: to give strength or stiffness to (as with buckram)
2
archaic : to make pretentious

Examples of buckram in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Most albums come with silk, linen, leather or buckram covers, and endless embossing options. Sara Clemence, WSJ, 13 Dec. 2017 What is the hair going to be made of? (Paper, tulle, polyester fiberfill, and buckram are popular options; the Saint Louis Art Museum’s current menswear show uses suit interfacing, a clever tailoring twist.) Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell, The Atlantic, 18 Aug. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English bukeram, from Anglo-French bokeram, from Old French bougherant, probably ultimately from Bokhara (Bukhara, Uzbekistan)

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

circa 1589, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1785, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of buckram was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near buckram

Cite this Entry

“Buckram.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buckram. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

buckram

noun
buck·​ram
ˈbək-rəm
: a stiff fabric used in garments, hats, and bookbindings
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!