calico

noun

cal·​i·​co ˈka-li-ˌkō How to pronounce calico (audio)
plural calicoes or calicos
1
a
: cotton cloth imported from India
b
British : a plain white cotton fabric that is heavier than muslin
c
: any of various cheap cotton fabrics with figured patterns
2
: a blotched or spotted animal
especially : one that is predominantly white with red and black patches
calico adjective

Examples of calico in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ward is survived by his wife, Seely, and his loving calico cat Corrie, as well as three children — Judy Olive, Johnny Myers (Wanda), and Keven Ward (Beth) — plus grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 16 Dec. 2024 The new findings also help explain why calicos and tortoiseshells—which have patterns with a mixture of colors, including orange—are almost always female. Gayoung Lee, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Dec. 2024 The products — debuting October 14 — all feature a purple striped and purple calico fabric that Gilbert created as a nod to the official color for pancreatic cancer awareness. Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 14 Oct. 2024 Meet Zia, my dilute calico who enjoys chasing droplets of water in the tub and lying flat on her back, like a fluffy rug in a log cabin. Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for calico 

Word History

Etymology

Calicut, India

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of calico was in 1578

Dictionary Entries Near calico

Cite this Entry

“Calico.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calico. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

calico

noun
cal·​i·​co ˈkal-i-ˌkō How to pronounce calico (audio)
plural calicoes or calicos
1
: cotton cloth especially with a colored pattern printed on one side
2
: a blotched or spotted animal
a calico cat
calico adjective
Etymology

named for Calicut, a city in India, which exported such cloth

More from Merriam-Webster on calico

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