dimmity

English

Etymology 1

See dimity.

Noun

dimmity (countable and uncountable, plural dimmities)

1. Alternative form of dimity (“fabric”)
   • 1769, Robert Richardson (D.D., Prebendary of Lincoln.), Archibald James Edward Douglas, (Baron Douglas.), & James George Hamilton (7th Duke of Hamilton.), A State of the Evidence in the Cause between His Grace the Duke of Hammilton and Others, Pursuers, and Archibald Doublas, of Douglas, Esquire, Defender, page 28:

     Nurse Favre is embarrassed with the English manner of swaddling: instead of flannel, dimmity, and linen, our nurses put dimmity, flannel, and linen; and the outermost swaddling-cloth of dimmity is large and loose, and the child is sometimes left without it; as lady Jane's child probably was, when the French nurse received it in the month of July.

   • 1829, Anna Maria Hall, Sketches of Irish character, page 161:

     Short black silk cloak — white dimmity petticoat — shoes and silver buckles — small black silk bonnet — hardly shading her round good-natured face, were singular gear, even in London; and her rich brogue whenever she inquired, " if any one could tell her, where Lady Brilliant's, and her young lady's house was in Grosvenor Place," caused a universal laugh, which she did not at all relish.

   • 1850, John Holmes Agnew, Walter Hilliard Bidwell, The Eclectic Magazine: Foreign Literature - Volume 21, page 60:

     Tell Mrs. James that they seized my flannel petticoats (although made up), which I had provided for winter wear, and upon muslins and dimmities.

   • 2013, Charles Knowles Bolton, Scotch Irish Pioneers In Ulster And America, →ISBN, page 1576:

     The clothing which he wore is described at some length: To his brother-in-law McClanathan his Camblet coat lined with green, and his black and white jacket; to his brother Samuel Shaw a Duroy coat, brown holland coat, and dimmity jacket; to Alexander Thien his coat with metal buttons.

Etymology 2

Apparently from dim +‎ -ity.

Noun

dimmity (countable and uncountable, plural dimmities)

1. Dusk; twilight.
   • 1895, The Woman at Home - Volume 4, page 97:

     The glow became less. An amber cloud turned dull and lost its gold, changing into lead. “Deary dimmity l'” said Mrs. Hammett, sitting up.

   • 1948, Chambers's journal, page 232:

     Av coorse, times was better then — afore I went to sea as a tacker, I worked on a varm, an' I got nine shillun a week an' worked from dawn till after dimmity (dusk), zummer an' winter.

   • 1965, Fred James Speakman, A forest by night, page 174:

     I have come so often after dusk, the whole feeling and tone of my thoughts are of dimmity, the hours between dusk and day, of the velvet dark when a raised hand before my face is no more than a paleness.

   • 2014, Henry Williamson, Tarka the Otter, →ISBN:

     At dimmity it flew down the right bank of the river and perched on the same branch of the fallen oak and skirred to its mate, who roosted by day in a barn near the village.

Synonyms

• (dusk): crepusculum, mirkning, nightfall; see also Thesaurus:dusk