CHIFFON

I. noun Etymology: French, literally, rag, from chiffe old rag, alteration of Middle French chipe, from Middle English chip chip Date: 1765 an ornamental addition (as a knot of ribbons) to a woman's dress, a sheer fabric especially of silk, II. adjective Date: 1903 resembling ~ in sheerness or softness, having a light delicate texture achieved usually by adding whipped egg whites or whipped gelatin