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REFERENCE

linen

n. · adj.
US //ˈɫɪnən// UK //lˈɪnɪn// linen
  1. 1 flax fabric (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a strong cloth made from the fibers of the flax plant, often used for summer clothes.

    a durable textile woven from the fibers of the flax plant (Linum usitatissimum). Uncountable in this material sense.

    Example

    He wore a light linen suit to stay cool during the outdoor wedding.

    Example

    The designer preferred working with pure linen because of its exceptional breathability and the characteristic texture it develops after several washes.
  2. 2 household textiles (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    household items like bed sheets, pillowcases, and tablecloths.

    a collective term for domestic textiles such as bedding, towels, and table coverings. Often used in the plural 'linens' in American English.

    Example

    We need to change the bed linen before the guests arrive this evening.

    Example

    The hotel prides itself on using high-thread-count linen to ensure maximum comfort for its international clientele.
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  1. 3 made of linen (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    describes something made from flax cloth.

    composed of or pertaining to linen fabric. Non-gradable; typically used attributively before a noun.

    Example

    She placed a linen napkin next to each plate on the table.

    Example

    The archive contains several linen bandages recovered from the excavation site, remarkably well-preserved despite the humid conditions.

  2. 4 pale beige color (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical

    a very pale, yellowish-grey or beige color.

    a specific pale hue resembling the natural, undyed state of flax fiber.

    Example

    The walls were painted a soft linen to make the room feel brighter.

    Example

    The interior decorator suggested a linen palette for the upholstery to maintain a neutral, sophisticated atmosphere in the lounge.
Origin

From Middle English lynnen, lynen, from Old English līnen (“linen", "made of flax”), from Proto-West Germanic līnīn (“made of flax”), from Proto-Germanic līną (“flax”), from Proto-Indo-European *līno- (“flax”), equivalent to line + -en. Cognate with Latin līnum (“flax”) and thus also Linum. More at line.

Idioms2 entries

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