Calico (/ˈkælɪkoʊ/; in British usage since 1505)[1] is a heavy[2] plain-woven textile made from unbleached, and often not fully processed, cotton. It may also contain unseparated husk parts. The fabric is far coarser than muslin, but less coarse and thick than canvas or denim. However, it is still very cheap owing to its unfinished and undyed appearance.
The fabric was originally from the city of Calicut in southwestern India. It was made by the traditional weavers called cāliyans. The raw fabric was dyed and printed in bright hues, and calico prints became popular in Europe.
- ^ Mugglestone, Lynda (27 July 2006). Lynda Mugglestone "The Oxford History of English". OUP Oxford. ISBN 9780191623172. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
- ^ Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary of Current English ISBN 019 431 5339, 2000, page 166