nankeen

American  

[nan-keen] / nænˈkin /

Also nankin

noun

1. a firm, durable, yellow or buff fabric, formerly made from a natural-colored Chinese cotton.

2. a twilled material made from other cotton and dyed in imitation of this fabric.

3. nankeens, garments made of this material.

4. a yellow or buff color.

5. Also called Nanking china,.  Also called Nankeen porcelain,.  Also called Nanking ware.  a type of Chinese porcelain having blue ornament on a white ground.

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nankeen British  

/ ˈnænkɪn, næŋˈkiːn /

noun

1. a hard-wearing buff-coloured cotton fabric

2. 1. a pale greyish-yellow colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      a nankeen carpet

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Etymology

Origin of nankeen

1745–55; after Nankin Nanking, where first made

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

nankeen

When Francie spoke to him, he folded his hands in the wide sleeves of his nankeen shirt coat and kept his eyes on the ground.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

Everybody knew Jacob Dolph afar off by his blue coat with the silver buttons, his nankeen waistcoat, and his red-checked Indian silk neckcloth.

From The Story of a New York House by Frost, A. B. (Arthur Burdett)

Meanwhile Salathiel ben Ezra had been clothed by Captain Bodgers in blue serge trousers, a nankeen waistcoat, and an oilskin, the only other garment available.

From King of the Air Or, To Morocco on an Aeroplane by Strang, Herbert

He accosted in a cynical manner a tall, fair-haired girl, in a nankeen costume.

From Sentimental Education Vol 1 by Flaubert, Gustave

I carry the long redingote, the scarlet waistcoat, the pantaloon of nankeen, and the umbrella, peculiar to the sons of Albion.

From Punch - Volume 25 (Jul-Dec 1853) by Various