DIMITY

is a kind of cotton cloth originally imported from India, and now manufactured in great quantities in various parts of Britain, especially in Lancashire. Dr. Johnson calls it dimmity , and describes it as a kind of fustian . The distinction between fustian and dimity seems to be, that the former designates a common tweeled cotton cloth of a stout fabric, which receives no ornament in the loom, but is most frequently dyed after being woven. Dimity is also a stout cotton cloth, but not usually of so thick a texture; and is ornamented in the loom, either with raised stripes or fancy figures, is seldom dyed, but usually worn white, as for bed and bed-room furniture. The striped dimities are the most common, they require le labour in weaving than the others; and the mounting of the loom being more simple, and consequently le expensive, they can be sold at much lower rates. See Textile Fabrics , for particular details of the plan of mounting them.