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Definition of linen noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

linen

noun
 
/ˈlɪnɪn/
 
/ˈlɪnɪn/
 [uncountable]Idioms
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  1. a type of cloth made from flax, used to make high-quality clothes, sheets, etc.
    • a linen tablecloth
    • a fine linen shirt
    CultureNorthern Ireland has been a centre for the linen industry for hundreds of years and exports linen to countries around the world.
    Topics Clothes and Fashionc1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • fine
    • pure
    • coarse
    • …
    verb + linen
    • weave (something from)
    See full entry
  2. sheets, tablecloths, pillowcases, etc.
    • (British English) a linen cupboard
    • (North American English) a linen closet
    • I've put fresh linen on the bed.
    see also bed linen, table linen
    Wordfinder
    Topics Shoppingc1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • clean
    • fresh
    • dirty
    • …
    verb + linen
    • change
    • wash
    linen + noun
    • basket
    • closet
    • cupboard
    • …
    See full entry
    3. Word OriginOld English līnen (as an adjective in the sense ‘made of flax’), of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch linnen, German Leinen, also to obsolete line ‘flax’.
Idioms
air/wash your dirty laundry/linen in public
  1. (disapproving) to discuss your personal affairs in public, especially something embarrassing
See linen in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
Check pronunciation: linen

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