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percaline

American  
[pur-kuh-leen] / ˌpɜr kəˈlin /

noun

  1. a fine, lightweight cotton fabric, usually finished with a gloss and dyed in one color, used especially for linings.


percaline British  
/ ˈpɜːkəˌliːn, -lɪn /

noun

  1. a fine light cotton fabric, used esp for linings

"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 percaline

From French, dating back to 1855–60; percale, -ine 2

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.

Madame Bastien wore a simple dress of pale blue and white striped percaline; a broad pink ribbon encircled her slender, supple waist, which a man could have easily spanned with his two hands.

From Project Gutenberg

“I’m not, mother; only think”—Nancy’s eyes glistened—“no more velveteen masquerading as velvet, no more bargain-counter shoes and gloves, no more percaline petticoats with silk flounces, no more plain dresses because shirring and tucking take a few more yards; no more summers spent in close, cooped-up hall bedrooms in twelve-dollar-a-week hotels; grape-fruit every morning, and cream always!”

From Project Gutenberg

"You needn't tease me about that, for you know as well as anything that I meant percaline."

From Project Gutenberg

Percaline is used chiefly for feminine wearing apparel, principally for linings, petticoats, etc.

From Project Gutenberg

Percaline is a highly finished and dressed percale.

From Project Gutenberg