calico

[ kal-i-koh ]

noun

, plural cal·i·coes, cal·i·cos.

1. a plain-woven cotton cloth printed with a figured pattern, usually on one side.
2. British. plain white cotton cloth.
3. an animal having a spotted or particolored coat.
4. Obsolete. a figured cotton cloth from India.

adjective

1. made of calico.
2. resembling printed calico; spotted or mottled.

calico

/ ˈkælɪˌkəʊ /

noun

1. a white or unbleached cotton fabric with no printed design
2. a coarse printed cotton fabric
3. modifier made of calico

Word History and Origins

Origin of calico¹

1495–1505; short for Calico cloth, variant of Calicut cloth, named after city in India which originally exported it

Word History and Origins

Origin of calico¹

C16: based on Calicut, town in India

Example Sentences

Of more than 40 cat cafes in Tokyo alone, the most popular are Calico and Cat Café Nekorobi.

From The Daily Beast

Sometimes a neighborhood cat, a calico, wanders by and peers in.

From The Daily Beast

The scarlet calico canopy was again set up over the bed, and the woven cradle, on its red manzanita frame, stood near.

From Project Gutenberg

She was so handy with a needle, and allus ready to cut out calico dingusses that the peon gals could sew up.

From Project Gutenberg

As she turned the corner, a lame child in a calico dress and torn hood staggered past her bent with the weight of a heavy basket.

From Project Gutenberg

Eloise said, drawing her well foot under the spotted calico, and wishing the young men would go.

From Project Gutenberg

It will add ever so much to our fun—everybody I know simply loves and envies me my darling 'calico' pony!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cotton
• goods
• material
• stuff