| nankeen | 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 colour quite indestructible and permanent. 2. An imitation of this cloth by artificial colouring. 3. Trousers made of nankeen. <zoology> Nankeen bird, the Australian night heron (Nycticorax Caledonicus); called also quaker. Origin: So called from its being originally manufactured at Nankin, in China Alternative forms: nankin. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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