Jean
/dʒiːn/noun
A sturdy cotton twill fabric, especially denim, used for trousers and other clothing.
Did you know?The word ultimately traces back to the Italian city of Genoa, whose French name gave us the fabric term that later became a symbol of durable workwear.
Etymological Timeline
Modern English
English
jean
“A sturdy cotton twill fabric used for clothing.”
16th Century
French
jean
“A twilled cotton cloth, originally associated with Genoa.”
16th Century
Italian
jeane / giane
“Cloth from Genoa; Genoese fabric.”
Middle Ages
French/Italian
Gênes / Genova
“The city of Genoa, a major Mediterranean port.”
Classical Latin
Latin
Genua
“Genoa.”