English Explanatory Dictionary

linen

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Thread or cloth made from flax fiber.
  2. Domestic textiles, such as tablecloths, bedding, towels, underclothes, etc., that are made of linen or linen-like fabrics of cotton or other fibers; linens.
  3. A light beige colour, like that of linen cloth undyed.
adj
  1. Made from linen cloth or thread.
  2. Having the colour linen, light beige.
name
  1. A surname.

Pronunciation

/ˈlɪnɪn/ en-us-linen.ogg

Word forms

linen linens

Etymology

From Middle English lynnen, lynen, from Old English līnen (“linen", "made of flax”), from Proto-West Germanic *līnīn (“made of flax”), from Proto-Germanic *līną (“flax”), from Proto-Indo-European *līno- (“flax”), equivalent to line + -en. Cognate with Latin līnum (“flax”) and thus also Linum. More at line.

Related words

lingerie fustian muslin flaxen

Derived words

bedlinen body linen cottolin Irish linen lack-linen linen basket linen closet linen cupboard linen-draper linen draper linendraper linener linenette linenfold linen hall linenless linenlike linen paper linen prover linens linen tester lineny linish linoleum nonlinen prelinen Russia linen shaving linen table-linen tow linen underlinen
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