linen

[ lin-uhn ]

noun

1. fabric woven from flax yarns.
2. Often linens. bedding, tablecloths, shirts, etc., made of linen cloth or a more common substitute, as cotton.
3. yarn made of flax fiber.
4. thread made of flax yarns.

adjective

1. made of linen:

   a linen jacket.

linen

/ ˈlɪnɪn /

noun

1. 1. a hard-wearing fabric woven from the spun fibres of flax
   2. ( as modifier )

      a linen tablecloth

2. yarn or thread spun from flax fibre
3. clothes, sheets, tablecloths, etc, made from linen cloth or from a substitute such as cotton
4. See linen paper

Other Words From

• linen·y adjective
• half-linen adjective
• under·linen noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of linen¹

before 900; Middle English lin ( n ) en (noun, adj.), Old English linnen, līnen (adj.) made of flax, equivalent to līn flax (< Latin līnum; line ² ) + -en -en ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of linen¹

Old English linnen, ultimately from Latin līnum flax, line ²

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. wash one's dirty linen in public, to discuss in public one's private scandals, disagreements, or difficulties.

More idioms and phrases containing linen

see wash one's dirty linen in public .

Example Sentences

She grew up wrapping damp greens in linen tea towels to keep them crisp but was frustrated when her salad makings fell out of the towels.

From Los Angeles Times

I was not issued relegation linens on my 40th birthday, although I do love linen.

From Los Angeles Times

Sheriffs in many places can dispense a large number of contracts—everything from medical care in the jail to technology to who does the linens to the architecture firm, to the gun range they use.

From Salon

"The army is known for not wanting to wash its dirty linen in public," Hadiza Ado, founder of Women and Children Initiative, told the BBC.

From BBC

Others were assigned to book hotel rooms and stock them with what prosecutors called “Freak Off supplies” such as drugs, baby oil, lubricant, lighting and extra linens.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bedding
• cloth
• lingerie