noun
madras
muh-DRAS/məˈdræs/
A lightweight cotton fabric with a plaid or checked pattern.
The lightweight madras cloth drapes loosely, showing its multicolored plaid.
Etymology
Madras gave its name to brightly colored cloth exported from the place, including silk-and-cotton handkerchiefs. The fabric name preserves that geographic association.
In context
Madras fabric is woven in plaid patterns featuring an assortment of bright and contrasting colors in a combination of stripes and checks
More examples
- He wears a madras shirt on warm summer days.
- She cuts the madras carefully to match the checks at each seam.
- These colorful cushion covers are made of madras.
Forms
madras
Similar words
- gingham
- Gingham usually has regular checks in white and one color.
- seersucker
- Seersucker is distinguished by puckered texture, not a checked pattern.