n. 1. a. Thread made from fibers of the flax plant. b. Cloth woven from this thread. 2. also linens Articles or garments, such as sheets, tablecloths, or underwear, formerly made of linen and now usually made of other fabrics, especially cotton. 3. Paper made from flax fibers or having a linenlike luster. adj. 1. Made of flax or linen. 2. Resembling linen. [Middle English, from Old English līnen, made of flax, from Germanic *līnin-, from *līnam, flax, probably from Latin līnum; see lno- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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