tarlatan

[ tahr-luh-tn, -tuhn ]

noun

1. a thin, plain-weave, open-mesh cotton fabric finished with stiffening agents and sometimes glazed.

tarlatan

/ ˈtɑːlətən /

noun

1. an open-weave cotton fabric, used for stiffening garments

Word History and Origins

Origin of tarlatan¹

First recorded in 1720–30; from French tarlatane, dissimilated variant of tarnatane kind of cloth originally imported from India; further origin unknown

Word History and Origins

Origin of tarlatan¹

C18: from French tarlatane, variant of tarnatane type of muslin, perhaps of Indian origin

Example Sentences

The beams rose high above their heads, and a musty smell of tarlatan and muslin and cheese-cloth filled the air.

From Project Gutenberg

Tarlatan can now be had in hues that almost rival the colours of flowers, but I fear that only the white can be had "fire-proof."

From Project Gutenberg

There were some pretty girls swimming about in tasteful whip-syllabub of puffed tarlatan.

From Project Gutenberg

I rather liked myself in my home-made white tarlatan, feeling very much dressed in my first low neck.

From Project Gutenberg

My white tarlatan and my Second Street silk had grown shabby before the winter was half over.

From Project Gutenberg