flannel

Origin:
1300–50; Middle English flaunneol, perhaps dissimilated variant of flanyn sackcloth < Welsh; compare Welsh gwlanen woolen article, equivalent to gwlân wool (akin to Latin lāna) + -en suffix denoting a single item (as a piece of a mass noun or singular of a collective plural)

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Collins

World English Dictionary

flannel (ˈflæn^əl)

—n
1.	a soft light woollen fabric with a slight nap, used for clothing
2.	(plural) trousers or other garments made of flannel
3.	See cotton flannel
4.	(Brit) US and Canadian equivalent: washcloth a small piece of cloth used to wash the face and hands; face cloth
5.	informal (Brit) indirect or evasive talk; deceiving flattery

—vb , -nels, -nelling, -nelled, -nels, -neling, -neled
6.	to cover or wrap with flannel
7.	to rub, clean, or polish with flannel
8.	informal (Brit) to talk evasively to; flatter in order to mislead

[C14: probably variant of flanen sackcloth, from Welsh gwlanen woollen fabric, from gwlân wool]

'flannelly

—*adj*

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

flannel

1503, from Welsh gwlanen "woolen cloth," from gwlan "wool." Not a universally accepted etymology; some suggest an Anglo-Fr. dim. of O.Fr. flaine "a kind of coarse wool."

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia

flannel

fabric made in plain or twill weave, usually with carded yarns. It is napped, most often on both sides, the degree of napping ranging from slight to so heavy that the twill weave is obscured. Fibre composition and amount of napping are dependent on the intended use. Flannel is a relatively warm fabric, since still air is held in the fabric because of the napping. Addition of a man-made fibre to the blend increases the resistance to abrasion and hence may lengthen the life of the fabric. Furthermore, some of these blends help to prevent stretching, so that a better fit is maintained. Crease retention is improved with some blends such as acrylic fibre.

Learn more about flannel with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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Example sentences

Flannel board sets of mixed gender community helpers, sets of figures with

uniforms for dressing the figures to make up stories.

We were dressed alike-holey dungarees, battered leather jacket, timeworn

flannel shirt.

Everyone looked the same and dressed in the same materials: worsted, flannel,

or corduroy.

Flannel sheets are cozy on cold nights, and repurposed flannel sheets make warm

lap blankets.