denim
UK[ˈden.ɪm]US[ˈden.əm]
n
A thick, strong cotton cloth, typically blue, used for making jeans, jackets, etc.
n
Clothes, especially jeans, made of denim.
Etymology
The word 'denim' is a toponym, deriving its name from the city of Nîmes, France. The original fabric was a sturdy twill called "serge de Nîmes", which was exported to England and America in the 17th and 18th centuries. Through ellipsis and anglicization, the phrase was shortened to simply "de Nîm", which eventually merged into the single word "denim". The modern meaning solidified in the late 19th century when Levi Strauss & Co. used a similar durable cotton fabric, originally brown, to make riveted work pants, with the now-iconic blue version becoming synonymous with jeans.
Analysis
The word 'denim' is a simplex loanword. It originates from the French phrase "serge de Nîmes", meaning "serge from Nîmes", a city in southern France.
Examples
He wore a simple denim jacket over his t-shirt.
Denim is a durable material perfect for casual wear.
The fashion show featured innovative designs using recycled denim.