Madras - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Madras refers to a lightweight cotton fabric with a checked or striped pattern, originally made in India. It is commonly used for shirts, dresses, and summer clothing due to its breathable texture.
Definition:
A lightweight cotton fabric with a checked or striped pattern, originally from Madras (now Chennai), India.
Synonyms:
gingham, plaid, checkered fabric
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
plain fabric, solid fabric
Common Collocations:
madras shirt, madras pants, madras dress
Derivatives:
madrases (plural), madras-like (adjective)
Usage Tips:
Use "madras" to refer to the patterned fabric or clothing made from it; avoid confusion with the city name Chennai (formerly Madras).
Common Phrases:
madras check, madras plaid, madras print
Etymology:
Derived from Madras (now Chennai), India, where the fabric was originally produced and exported in the 17th century.
Examples:
- 1. She wore a bright madras skirt to the picnic.
- 2. The store sells shirts made from authentic Indian madras.
- 3. His favorite summer jacket is a lightweight madras blazer.
- 4. The tablecloth had a colorful madras pattern that stood out.