Calico
/ˈkæl.ɪ.koʊ/noun
A plain-woven cotton fabric, usually printed with a simple pattern, or the pattern itself.
Did you know?Calico is named after Calicut, the historic European name for Kozhikode in Kerala, India, a major port where imported cotton textiles helped launch a fashion craze across Europe.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient / Medieval South Asia
Malayalam
Kōḻikkōṭ
“The original place-name for Kozhikode, an important port city on the Malabar Coast.”
16th Century
Portuguese
Calecute
“Portuguese form of the city name, used for the trading port Europeans encountered in India.”
17th Century
French
calicot
“A coarse cotton cloth associated with imports from Calicut.”
17th Century
English
calico
“Originally a cotton cloth from Calicut; later any similar printed cotton fabric.”
Modern English
English
calico
“A plain cotton fabric or a fabric printed with a simple design, especially in domestic textiles.”