Linen
Linen
Linen (/ˈlɪnən/; from Latin linum) is a textile made from the fibers of the flax plant, Linum usitatissimum.
Etymology
The word linen is of West Germanic origin and cognate to the Latin name for the flax plant, linum, and the earlier Greek λινόν (linón).
Production
Linen is laborious to manufacture, but the fiber is very strong, absorbent, and dries faster than cotton. Garments made of linen are valued for their exceptional coolness and freshness in hot and humid weather.
Uses
The collective term "linens" is still often used generically to describe a class of woven or knitted bed, bath, table and kitchen textiles traditionally made of linen. In the past, "linens" also referred to lightweight undergarments such as shirts, chemises, waistshirts, lingerie (a word also cognate with linen), and detachable shirt collars and cuffs, all of which were historically made almost exclusively out of linen.
Related Terms
- Flax: The plant from which linen is made.
- Textile: A flexible material consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibers.
- Cotton: A soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants.
- Lingerie: Women's underwear and nightclothes.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Linen
- Wikipedia's article - Linen
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