nankeen

UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/næŋˈkiːn/, /ˈnænkɪn/US:USA pronunciation: respellingUSA pronunciation: respelling(nan kēn′)


WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
nan•keen  (nan kēn′),USA pronunciation n. 
  1. Textilesa firm, durable, yellow or buff fabric, formerly made from a natural-colored Chinese cotton.
  2. Textilesa twilled material made from other cotton and dyed in imitation of this fabric.
  3. Textiles nankeens, garments made of this material.
  4. a yellow or buff color.
  5. CeramicsAlso called Nan′keen por′celain, Nan′king chi′na, Nan′king′ ware′. a type of Chinese porcelain having blue ornament on a white ground.
Also, nan•kin  (nan′kin).USA pronunciation 
  • after Nankin Nanking, where first made 1745–55

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
nankeen /næŋˈkiːn/, nankin /ˈnænkɪn/ n
  1. a hard-wearing buff-coloured cotton fabric
    • a pale greyish-yellow colour
    • (as adjective): a nankeen carpet
Etymology: 18th Century: named after Nanking, China, where it originated
'nankeen' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
nankeen lily

Forum discussions with the word(s) "nankeen" in the title:


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