linen
from
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)
linen
n 1: a fabric woven with fibers from the flax plant
2: a high-quality paper made of linen fibers or with a linen
finish [syn: {linen}, {linen paper}]
3: white goods or clothing made with linen cloth
from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Linen \Lin"en\, n. [Prop. an adj. from OE. lin flax, AS.
l[imac]n flax, whence l[imac]nen made of flax; akin to OS.,
Icel., & MHG. l[imac]n flax and linen, G. lein, leinen,
linen, Sw. lin flax, Goth. lein linen, L. linum flax, linen,
Gr. li`non. Cf. {Line}, {Linseed}.]
1. Thread or cloth made of flax or (rarely) of hemp; -- used
in a general sense to include cambric, shirting, sheeting,
towels, tablecloths, etc.; as, bed linens "In linen white
as milk." --Robert of Brunne.
[1913 Webster]
2. Underclothing, esp. the shirt, as being, in former times,
chiefly made of linen.
[1913 Webster]
[1913 Webster]
{Linen draper}, a dealer in linen.
{Linen prover}, a small microscope for counting the threads
in a given space in linen fabrics.
{Linen scroll}, {Linen pattern} (Arch.), an ornament for
filling panels, copied from the folds of a piece of stuff
symmetrically disposed.
[1913 Webster]
from
Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
Linen
(1.) Heb., pishet, pishtah, denotes "flax," of which linen is
made (Isa. 19:9); wrought flax, i.e., "linen cloth", Lev. 13:47,
48, 52, 59; Deut. 22:11.
Flax was early cultivated in Egypt (Ex. 9:31), and also in
Palestine (Josh. 2:6; Hos. 2:9). Various articles were made of
it: garments (2 Sam. 6:14), girdles (Jer. 13:1), ropes and
thread (Ezek. 40:3), napkins (Luke 24:12; John 20:7), turbans
(Ezek. 44:18), and lamp-wicks (Isa. 42:3).
(2.) Heb. buts, "whiteness;" rendered "fine linen" in 1 Chr.
4:21; 15:27; 2 Chr. 2:14; 3:14; Esther 1:6; 8:15, and "white
linen" 2 Chr. 5:12. It is not certain whether this word means
cotton or linen.
(3.) Heb. bad; rendered "linen" Ex. 28:42; 39:28; Lev. 6:10;
16:4, 23, 32; 1 Sam. 2:18; 2 Sam. 6:14, etc. It is uniformly
used of the sacred vestments worn by the priests. The word is
from a root signifying "separation."
(4.) Heb. shesh; rendered "fine linen" Ex. 25:4; 26:1, 31, 36,
etc. In Prov. 31:22 it is rendered in Authorized Version "silk,"
and in Revised Version "fine linen." The word denotes Egyptian
linen of peculiar whiteness and fineness (byssus). The finest
Indian linen, the finest now made, has in an inch one hundred
threads of warp and eighty-four of woof; while the Egyptian had
sometimes one hundred and forty in the warp and sixty-four in
the woof. This was the usual dress of the Egyptian priest.
Pharaoh arrayed Joseph in a dress of linen (Gen. 41:42).
(5.) Heb. 'etun. Prov. 7:16, "fine linen of Egypt;" in Revised
Version, "the yarn of Egypt."
(6.) Heb. sadin. Prov. 31:24, "fine linen;" in Revised
Version, "linen garments" (Judg. 14:12, 13; Isa. 3:23). From
this Hebrew word is probably derived the Greek word sindon,
rendered "linen" in Mark 14:51, 52; 15:46; Matt. 27:59.
The word "linen" is used as an emblem of moral purity (Rev.
15:6). In Luke 16:19 it is mentioned as a mark of luxury.
from
Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0
96 Moby Thesaurus words for "linen":
Skivvies, afghan, apparel, array, attire, bed linen, bedclothes,
bedcover, bedding, bedizenment, bedsheet, bedspread, blanket,
blouse, bodice, body clothes, bodywear, buffalo robe, case,
clothes, clothing, comfort, comforter, contour sheet, corsage,
costume, counterpane, cover, coverlet, coverlid, dickey, drapery,
dress, dressing, dry goods, duds, eiderdown, fashion, fatigues,
feathers, fig, fitted sheet, flannels, garb, garments, gear, guise,
habiliment, habit, investiture, investment, lap robe,
leather goods, leatherware, linens, lingerie, napery,
patchwork quilt, pillow slip, pillowcase, quilt, rags, raiment,
robe, robes, rug, sheet, sheeting, shift, shirt, slip,
smallclothes, soft goods, sporting goods, sportswear, spread,
style, textiles, threads, togs, toilette, trim, underclothes,
underclothing, undergarments, underlinen, underwear, undies,
unmentionables, vestment, vesture, waist, wear, wearing apparel,
white goods, yard goods
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