noun

chamois

SHAM-wah/ˈʃæmwɑː/

Soft leather or similar fabric used for polishing or padding.

The soft chamois hangs over the partly dried mirror.

Close-up of a soft, pale-tan chamois leather draped over the edge of a partly dried mirror, with an irregular hide-shaped outline, thin supple folds and a matte suede-like surface.

Etymology

The antelope’s name passed to the soft leather originally made from its skin. The material sense, rather than the animal sense, underlies its use for polishing and drying.

In context

Storytime Haven69:24

filling them with oil, trimming the wicks, and polishing the glasses with a piece of chamois leather.

🌑 The Moon Rock 🌒 | A Haunting Tale of Mystery and Ambition by Arthur J. Rees

More examples

The chamois absorbed the remaining water.
A chamois pad protected the painted surface.
She folded the clean chamois after drying the glass.

Forms

chamois · chamoises

Similar words

suede: Suede is leather with a napped surface; chamois is a particularly soft, absorbent leather or imitation.
cloth: Cloth is general; chamois names a particular polishing or padding material.