buckram

buckram
    adj 1: rigidly formal; "a starchy manner"; "the letter was stiff
           and formal"; "his prose has a buckram quality" [syn:
           {starchy}, {stiff}, {buckram}]
    n 1: a coarse cotton fabric stiffened with glue; used in
         bookbinding and to stiffen clothing
    v 1: stiffen with or as with buckram; "buckram the skirt"
    

Ramson \Ram"son\ (r[a^]m"z'n), n. [AS. hramsan, pl., akin to G.
   rams, Sw. rams, ramsl["o]k; cf. Gr. kro`myon onion.] (Bot.)
   A broad-leaved species of garlic ({Allium ursinum}), common
   in European gardens; -- called also {buckram}.
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Buckram \Buck"ram\, n. [OE. bokeram, bougeren, OF. boqueran, F.
   bougran, MHG. buckeram, LL. buchiranus, boquerannus, fr. MHG.
   boc, G. bock, goat (as being made of goat's hair), or fr. F.
   bouracan, by transposing the letter r. See {Buck},
   {Barracan}.]
   1. A coarse cloth of linen or hemp, stiffened with size or
      glue, used in garments to keep them in the form intended,
      and for wrappers to cover merchandise.
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   Note: Buckram was formerly a very different material from
         that now known by the name. It was used for wearing
         apparel, etc. --Beck (Draper's Dict. ).
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   2. (Bot.) A plant. See {Ramson}. --Dr. Prior.
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Buckram \Buck"ram\, a.
   1. Made of buckram; as, a buckram suit.
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   2. Stiff; precise. "Buckram dames." --Brooke.
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Buckram \Buck"ram\, v. t.
   To strengthen with buckram; to make stiff. --Cowper.
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