chiffon
UK[ˈʃɪfɒn]US[ʃɪˈfɑːn]
n
a light, sheer fabric of silk, nylon, or other material, typically used for evening dresses and scarves.
n
a light, fluffy texture or consistency, especially in cooking (e.g., a chiffon cake).
Etymology
the word 'chiffon' entered english in the mid-18th century from french, where it originally meant 'rag' or 'piece of cloth'. the french term derived from 'chiffe', meaning 'rag' or 'flimsy scrap of fabric', a word of uncertain origin. the semantic evolution from 'rag' to a delicate, luxurious fabric is an example of amelioration, where a word's meaning improves over time. the culinary use, describing a light and airy texture, is a metaphorical extension from the fabric's characteristic lightness and sheerness.
Analysis
this word is a loanword adopted as a single, unsegmentable unit in english.
Examples
her evening gown was made of a beautiful blue silk chiffon that floated as she walked.
the baker is famous for her light and airy lemon chiffon pie.
the sheer chiffon curtains allowed a soft, diffused light to fill the room.