See Also: linen(dictionary)
linen(encyclopedia)
bed linen(dictionary)
linen(dictionary)
linen cupboard(dictionary)
table linen(dictionary)
Linen Belt - Golf(gambling)

linen (iou)



linen adjective & noun.
[Old English linen, l&amacbreve;nnen = Old Frisian (Dutch) linnen, Old Saxon, Old High German linin (German leinen), from West Germanic, formed as LINE noun1: see -EN4.]
A. adjective. Made of flax or cloth woven from flax. OE.
W. Wood Our Returns are chiefly in Linnen and Linnen Yarn. J. Steinbeck Alice patted the cuts with a linen handkerchief dipped in warm water.
b. noun.
collect. Garments or other articles made or originally usually made of linen, as sheets, cloths, shirts, undergarments, etc. ME.
wash one's dirty linen in public be indiscreet about one's domestic quarrels, private disagreements, etc.
Keats And still she slept an azure-lidded sleep, In blanched linen, smooth, and lavender'd. Birmingham Post His linen is as carefully selected as his wine list.
Cloth woven from flax. LME.
E. Saintsbury Chemical properties necessary for the bleaching of linen and other materials made from flax.
b. A particular kind of such cloth. Usu. in pl. M18.
Something made of linen; a linen garment. Now usu. in pl. M16.
L. Hellman Dresses..a tan linen, and..a white net for Babbie. Woman's Own She personally saw to her husband and son's linens.
b. Orig., a piece or pieces of linen, esp. strips of linen for use as bandages. Later (in pl.), graveclothes. obsolete exc. Scot. L16.
ellipt. = linen-draper (b) below. slang. M20.
Comb. & special collocations: linen-armourer (a) (obsolete exc. Hist.) a maker of gambesons and similar adjuncts to armour; (b) joc. a tailor; linen basket: for soiled clothes; linen-cupboard a cupboard for bedlinen and table linen; the contents of such a cupboard; linen-draper (a) a trader who deals in linens, calicos, etc.; (b) rhyming slang a newspaper; linen duster a duster (see DUSTER 3) made of linen; linenfold carved or moulded ornament representing a fold or scroll of linen; linen-hall a market-hall for the sale of linens; linen-panel: one decorated with linenfold; linen-press a frame or receptacle for pressing or holding linen; linen shower N. Amer. a party at which a bride-to-be is given presents of household linen etc.; linen tea a tea arranged in order to provide house-linen for a creche, day nursery, etc.
linenless adjective M19.