Definition of "dimmity"

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

2013, Charles Knowles Bolton, Scotch Irish Pioneers In Ulster And America, page 1576

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

1895, The Woman at Home - Volume 4, page 97

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.

1948, Chambers's journal, page 232

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.

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

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.

2014, Henry Williamson, Tarka the Otter