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

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

He wore a sky-blue coat, and trousers of nankeen; his white stockings were rolled down to his shoes.

From The Sword of Honor, volumes 1 & 2 or The Foundation of the French Republic, A Tale of The French Revolution by Sue, Eug?ne

He had on a round hat, and nankeen waistcoat and breeches, with a flannel waistcoat and drawers, boots and thread stockings.'

From Elsie on the Hudson by Finley, Martha

"And assuredly the nankeen pantaloons yonder I recollect to have seen worn last year."

From The King of Schnorrers Grotesques and Fantasies by Zangwill, Israel

For the country, dresses of Chinese nankeen and Persian jaconet are worn; and to protect from the sun, a kind of hood, of similar stuff.

From The International Monthly, Volume 4, No. 1, August, 1851 by Various