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nankeen

nankeen

1 9.9
A strong pale yellow cotton cloth first made by hand in China
  • noun
  • /næŋˈkin/
  • Archaic
translation icon : nankeen
  • He wore a stylish jacket made of nankeen during the warm afternoon.

Examples

  • She admired the soft texture of the nankeen cloth displayed at the market.

  • The tailor selected a beautiful nankeen fabric for the summer suits.

  • Johnson sailed to China with an American company doing the cloth trade, Nankeen silk.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Her captain strides the narrow quarterdeck, a short lowering figure in a cocked hat, blue brass-buttoned tail coat with white facings, and white nankeen breeches.

    Fiction book (1991)

Synonyms

chino
vsnankeen
8 4.2

A strong cotton fabric often used to make trousers and uniforms

is a durable yellowish cotton originally handwoven in China
chintz
vsnankeen
5 7.9

A cotton fabric with bright floral patterns and a shiny finish used to cover furniture or make curtains

is plain yellowish fabric not brightly printed or glazed originally handwoven
sateen
vsnankeen
1 7.4

A smooth cotton cloth with a soft shine that people use for sheets and dresses

is coarse and unglazed natural yellowish cloth made by hand in China
cotton flannel
vsnankeen
1 2.9

A warm cotton cloth with a soft side used for clothes and sheets

is a yellowish fabric handwoven in China and valued for durability
balbriggan
vsnankeen
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A soft cotton fabric with fine ribs used for underwear and night clothes

is a woven durable yellowish cotton fabric rather than a knitted undergarment cloth
jaconet
vsnankeen
  • Archaic
9.9

A thin cotton fabric with a smooth surface that is slightly stiff, used for clothes and bandages

is heavier and more robust made originally as a yellowish Chinese handwoven cloth
nainsook
vsnankeen
9.9

A soft, thin cotton cloth for making baby clothes and underwear

is sturdier and darker yellow in colour not soft or lightweight like that

Surface Forms

nankeen singular
nankeens plural

Etymology

The word nankeen comes from the Chinese city Nanjing, where a pale, yellow cotton cloth was first made and sold. So nankeen today means that same strong, yellowish cotton fabric.