nankeen

noun

nan·​keen ˌnan-ˈkēn How to pronounce nankeen (audio)
1
: a durable brownish yellow cotton fabric originally loomed by hand in China
2
nankeens plural : trousers made of nankeen

Word History

Etymology

Nanking (Nanjing), China

First Known Use

circa 1700, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nankeen was circa 1700

Dictionary Entries Near nankeen

Cite this Entry

“Nankeen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nankeen. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

nankeen

noun
nan·​keen (ˈ)nan-ˈkēn How to pronounce nankeen (audio)
: a durable brownish yellow cotton fabric originally from China

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