nankin

1 definition found

nankin - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Nankeen \Nan*keen"\, n. [So called from its being originally
     manufactured at Nankin (Nanjing), in China.] [Written also
     nankin.]
     1. A species of cloth, of a firm texture, originally brought
        from China, made of a species of cotton (Gossypium  religiosum
        ) that is naturally of a brownish yellow color
        quite indestructible and permanent.
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     2. An imitation of this cloth by artificial coloring.
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     3. pl. Trousers made of nankeen. --Ld. Lytton.
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     Nankeen bird (Zool.), the Australian night heron
        (Nycticorax Caledonicus); -- called also quaker.
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