madras

¹

[ mad-ruhs, muh-dras, -drahs ]

noun

1. a light cotton fabric of various weaves, especially one in multicolored plaid or stripes, used for shirts, dresses, jackets, etc.
2. a thin curtain fabric of a light, gauzelike weave with figures of heavier yarns.
3. a large, brightly colored kerchief, of silk or cotton, often used for turbans.

adjective

1. made of or resembling madras.

Madras

²

[ muh-dras, -drahs ]

noun

1. former name of Chennai
2. former name of Tamil Nadu.

madras

¹

/ ˈmædrəs; məˈdræs; -ˈdrɑːs /

noun

1. 1. a strong fine cotton or silk fabric, usually with a woven stripe
   2. ( as modifier )

      madras cotton

2. something made of this, esp a scarf
3. a medium-hot curry

   chicken madras

Madras

²

/ -ˈdræs; məˈdrɑːs /

noun

1. See Chennai
   the former official name of Chennai
2. See Tamil Nadu
   the former name (until 1968) for the state of Tamil Nadu

Word History and Origins

Origin of madras¹

First recorded in 1825–35; named after Madras

Word History and Origins

Origin of madras¹

C19: by association with the Madras area

Example Sentences

Outnumbered five to one in Britain, Scots made up 60 percent of the merchants in Bengal, Calcutta and Madras.

From The Daily Beast

And, of course, no warm weather spot would be without his infamous Adidas slip-on sandals and a pair of madras shorts.

From The Daily Beast

Naan dunked in matzoh ball soup, served by a Yiddish-speaking waiter from Madras.

From The Daily Beast

The larger boats of the natives struck me as very remarkable, and differed entirely from those I saw at Madras.

From Project Gutenberg

In the Madras case the first class fare is over five times as much as the third class fare.

From Project Gutenberg

Today we perceived the low ranges of the Rajmahal Hills, the first we had seen since we left Madras.

From Project Gutenberg

Through the mists I could see a way, even if I failed to find Madras and arrange another surprising situation.

From Project Gutenberg

I had promised Madras never to let her know that he was alive, but I would break the promise if Madras himself did not come.

From Project Gutenberg