linen
- Noun:
- A fabric woven from fibers of the flax plant: Linen is a textile made from the natural fibers of the flax plant (Linum usitatissimum). It is known for its strength, coolness, and distinctive texture.
- Items made from linen cloth, especially household goods or clothing: This meaning refers to products such as tablecloths, bedsheets, towels, and garments (like shirts or dresses) that are manufactured from linen fabric.
- A type of high-quality paper: Linen can also refer to paper that is made from linen fibers or has a finish that resembles linen cloth, often used for stationery or important documents.
Noun (Fabric): The dress was made of crisp, white linen.Linen is a popular choice for summer clothing because it is breathable.
Noun (Goods/Clothing): She put out the best linen for the dinner party.His suitcase was full of freshly ironed linen.
Noun (Paper): The wedding invitations were printed on fine linen paper.
"To wash one's dirty linen in public": This idiom means to discuss private or embarrassing matters, especially family problems, in front of others or in public. The politicians should settle their dispute privately instead of washing their dirty linen in public.
"To air one's dirty linen": A variant of the above idiom with the same meaning. The celebrity couple aired their dirty linen in a series of interviews.
Linens (n, plural): Often used to refer collectively to household cloth items like sheets, pillowcases, and tablecloths. The hotel provides fresh linens daily.
Lineny (adj, rare): Resembling linen in texture or appearance.
- Cloth/Fabric: Textile, material.
- Household goods: Bedding, tableware (in the context of cloth items).
- Paper: Parchment, bond paper (for high-quality paper).
Linen closet: A storage cupboard for bed linens, table linens, and towels. The towels are in the linen closet in the hallway.
Linen basket/hamper: A container for holding dirty laundry, especially items like sheets and towels. Please put your used towels in the linen basket.
- "To wash one's dirty linen at home": The opposite of the public idiom; it means to keep private matters within the family or a closed group.
- white goods or clothing made with linen cloth
- a high-quality paper made of linen fibers or with a linen finish
- a fabric woven with fibers from the flax plant