Honan

[ hoh-nan; Chinese hœ-nahn ]

noun

1. Wade-Giles. Henan.
2. (usually lowercase) Textiles.
   1. a pongee fabric made from the filaments of the wild silkworm.
   2. a lustrous fabric simulating pongee and woven from fibers other than silk.

honan

¹

/ ˈhəʊˈnæn /

noun

1. sometimes capital a silk fabric of rough weave

Honan

²

/ ˈhəʊˈnæn /

noun

1. a variant transliteration of the Chinese name for Henan

Word History and Origins

Origin of Honan¹

First recorded in 1880–85; named after Honan, where the fabric was first manufactued

Word History and Origins

Origin of Honan¹

C20: from Honan, former name of Henan , where it is made

Example Sentences

Our first excursion was to the celebrated Temple of Honan, which is said to be one of the finest in China.

From Project Gutenberg

The island of Honan was occupied by various important hongs, or places of business belonging to native Chinese merchants.

From Project Gutenberg

The following incident occurred while we were still outside Honan, studying the language at a sister mission.

From Project Gutenberg

At last the joyful news reached us women, waiting outside of Honan, that our brethren had secured property in two centers.

From Project Gutenberg

Traveling southward by cart, they crossed the border into Honan early one morning.

From Project Gutenberg