Samite

Samite was a luxurious and heavy silk fabric worn in the Middle Ages, of a twill-type weave, often including gold or silver thread. The name "samite" derives from Old French samit, from medieval Latin samitum, examitum deriving from the Byzantine Greek ἑξάμιτον hexamiton, meaning "six threads", usually interpreted as indicating the use of six yarns in the warp. Samite continues in use in ecclesiastical robes, vestments, ornamental fabrics, and interior decoration.

Structurally, samite is a weft-faced compound twill, plain or figured (patterned), in which the main warp threads are hidden on both sides of the fabric by the floats of the ground and patterning wefts, with only the binding warps visible. By the later medieval period, the term samite applied to any rich, heavy silk material which had a satin-like gloss, indeed "satin" began as a term for lustrous samite.