ENGLISH
REFERENCE

calico

n.
C2 Proficiency US //ˈkæɫəˌkoʊ// UK //kˈælɪkˌəʊ// cal·i·co

n. a type of wild cat that has patches of black, white, and orange fur. It is a common wild animal found in many parts of the world.

n. a wild cat species, Felis chaus, native to Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, characterized by a spotted coat pattern and a long tail.


SIMPLE

The calico cat sat on the fence watching the birds.

CONTEXTUAL

Researchers are studying the calico to understand how its unique coat patterns evolved over time.

COMPLEX

While often mistaken for a domestic tabby, the calico is a distinct wild species that exhibits a remarkable ability to adapt to various environments across its vast range.

Synonyms
Origin

From Calicut, from where the cloth was originally exported, from Malayalam കോഴിക്കോട് (kōḻikkōṭŭ, “Kozhikode”), from കോഴി (kōḻi, “palace”) + കോട് (kōṭŭ, “fortified palace”).

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