madras

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

/ ˈmæd rəs, məˈdræs, -ˈdrɑs /

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noun

a light cotton fabric of various weaves, especially one in multicolored plaid or stripes, used for shirts, dresses, jackets, etc.

a thin curtain fabric of a light, gauzelike weave with figures of heavier yarns.

a large, brightly colored kerchief, of silk or cotton, often used for turbans.

adjective

made of or resembling madras.

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Origin of madras

First recorded in 1825–35; named after Madras

Words nearby madras

mad money, madness, Madonna, Madonna and Child, Madonna lily, madras, madrasah, Madras hemp, Madras States, madre, Madre de Dios

Other definitions for madras (2 of 2)

Madras

[ muh-dras, -drahs ]

/ məˈdræs, -ˈdrɑs /

noun

former name of Chennai

former name of Tamil Nadu.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use madras in a sentence

Outnumbered five to one in Britain, Scots made up 60 percent of the merchants in Bengal, Calcutta and Madras.
Scotland’s ‘Yes’ Campaign and the Myth of Scottish Equality|Noah Caldwell|September 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And, of course, no warm weather spot would be without his infamous Adidas slip-on sandals and a pair of madras shorts.
Look What Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan Wore On Their Hawaiian Vacation|Isabel Wilkinson|April 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Naan dunked in matzoh ball soup, served by a Yiddish-speaking waiter from Madras.
Tony Judt's Final Words|John Gray|November 23, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The larger boats of the natives struck me as very remarkable, and differed entirely from those I saw at Madras.
A Woman's Journey Round the World|Ida Pfeiffer

In the Madras case the first class fare is over five times as much as the third class fare.
Third class in Indian railways|Mahatma Gandhi
Today we perceived the low ranges of the Rajmahal Hills, the first we had seen since we left Madras.
A Woman's Journey Round the World|Ida Pfeiffer
Through the mists I could see a way, even if I failed to find Madras and arrange another surprising situation.
Mrs. Falchion, Complete|Gilbert Parker
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.
Mrs. Falchion, Complete|Gilbert Parker

British Dictionary definitions for madras (1 of 2)

madras

/ (ˈmædrəs, məˈdræs, -ˈdrɑːs) /

noun

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

something made of this, esp a scarf

a medium-hot currychicken madras

Word Origin for madras

C19: by association with the Madras area

British Dictionary definitions for madras (2 of 2)

Madras

/ (məˈdrɑːs, -ˈdræs) /

noun

the former official name of Chennai

the former name (until 1968) for the state of Tamil Nadu

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