flannel

flannel
flannel c.1500, probably from Welsh gwlanen "woolen cloth," from gwlan "wool," from Celtic *wlana, from PIE *wele- "wool." The Welsh origin is not a universally accepted etymology, due to the sound changes involved; some (Barnhart, Gamillscheg) suggest the English word is from an Anglo-Fr. dim. of O.Fr. flaine "a kind of coarse wool." "As flannel was already in the 16th c. a well-known production of Wales, a Welsh origin for the word seems antecedently likely" [OED]. Mod.Fr. flanelle is a 17c. borrowing from English.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Flannel — is a soft woven fabric, of various fineness. It usually doesn t have a nap, and instead gains its softness through the loosely spun yarn it is woven from. It is commonly used to make clothing, bed sheets, and sleepwear.Flannel was originally made …   Wikipedia

  • Flannel — Flan nel (fl[a^]n n[e^]l), n. [F. flanelle, cf. OF. flaine a pillowcase, a mattress (?); fr. W. gwlanen flannel, fr. gwlan wool; prob. akin to E. wool. Cf. {Wool}.] 1. A soft, nappy, woolen cloth, of loose texture. Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • flannel — [flan′əl] n. [ME, akin to or < flanen < Welsh gwlanen < gwlan, wool < IE base * wel , hair, WOOL] 1. a soft, lightweight, loosely woven woolen cloth with a slightly napped surface 2. COTTON FLANNEL 3. [pl.] a) trousers, etc. made of… …   English World dictionary

  • flannel — has inflected forms flannelled, flannelling in BrE and flaneled flaneling in AmE. Flannelette, a napped cotton fabric imitating flannel, is spelt l in both varieties …   Modern English usage

  • flannel — ► NOUN 1) a kind of soft woven woollen or cotton fabric. 2) (flannels) men s trousers made of woollen flannel. 3) Brit. a small piece of towelling for washing oneself. 4) Brit. informal empty or flattering talk used to avoid dealing with a… …   English terms dictionary

  • flannel — [[t]flæ̱n(ə)l[/t]] flannels 1) N UNCOUNT: oft N n Flannel is a soft cloth, usually made of cotton or wool, that is used for making clothes. He wore a faded red flannel shirt. 2) N PLURAL: also a pair of N Flannels are men s trousers made of… …   English dictionary

  • flannel — /flan l/, n., v., flanneled, flanneling or (esp. Brit.), flannelled, flannelling. n. 1. a soft, slightly napped fabric of wool or wool and another fiber, used for trousers, jackets, shirts, etc. 2. a soft, warm, light fabric of cotton or cotton… …   Universalium

  • flannel — noun (BrE) ⇨ See also ↑washcloth ADJECTIVE ▪ damp, wet ▪ cold ▪ face VERB + FLANNEL ▪ use …   Collocations dictionary

  • flannel — noun Etymology: Middle English flaunneol woolen cloth or garment Date: 1503 1. a. a soft twilled wool or worsted fabric with a loose texture and a slightly napped surface b. a napped cotton fabric of soft yarns simulating the texture of wool… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • flannel — /ˈflænəl / (say flanuhl) noun 1. a warm, soft fabric of wool or blends of wool and cotton, wool and rayon, or cotton warp with wool filling. 2. Especially WA, SA and Tasmania → face washer. 3. (plural) an outer garment, especially trousers, made… …  

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