Canton flannel

American

noun

a plain-weave or twill-weave cotton fabric with a long, fleecy nap usually on one side only, used for sportswear, undergarments, backings and linings, etc.

Canton flannel British

/ ˈkæntɒn, -tən /

noun

another name for cotton flannel

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Canton flannel

1880–85; after Canton, China

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Directions.—Use the polish dry with a piece of chamois skin or Canton flannel, previously moistened with water or alcohol, and finish with the polish dry.

From One Thousand Secrets of Wise and Rich Men Revealed by Bogardus, C. A.

In vain the little king-to-be may mumble the Canton flannel with his mouth.

From The Spread Eagle and Other Stories by Morris, Gouverneur

If used with care, an undercloth of this kind will last a long time, and I have found Canton flannel much more satisfactory than felt.

From Harper's Round Table, October 1, 1895 by Various

Have a number of tea towels, cheesecloth dusters, Canton flannel bags for brooms, silverware towels, etc., cut and ready to hem.

From Breakfasts and Teas Novel Suggestions for Social Occasions by Pierce, Paul

For bed clothes a woollen blanket should always be carried, and if convenient a large bag of thick Canton flannel is a most excellent acquisition.

From Camp Life in the Woods and the Tricks of Trapping and Trap Making by Gibson, William Hamilton

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023