shirtingn.
/ˈʃəːtɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈʃərdɪŋ/ 1. Fabric used for making shirts; a piece or type of such fabric; spec. (a) a strong cotton cloth woven in pieces of standard length, suitable for shirts but also used for other garments (now chiefly historical); (b) a fine cotton in plain colours or incorporating a traditional woven stripe.
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the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > textile fabric > textile fabric for specific purpose > [noun] > for clothing > for blouses or shirts
shirting1604
sarkingc1650
shirt cloth1691
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > textile fabric > textile fabric made from specific material > cotton > [noun] > stout or strong
shirting1604
Indian head1839
Grenfell cloth1926
1604 T. Dekker & T. Middleton Honest Whore iv. iii. 71 Cand. Looke you Gentlemen, your choise: Cambricks? Cram. No sir, some shirting.
1733 P. Lindsay Interest Scotl. 128 The Use of Indian Cotton-cloth has been often attempted for Shirting, but to no Purpose.
1792 Descr. Kentucky 49 White and checked shirtings.
1882 S. F. A. Caulfeild & B. C. Saward Dict. Needlework 447/2 Shirtings, these are otherwise called Fancy Cotton Shirtings...Dresses are sometimes made of the same..cloth, which has been sized and glazed.
1910 Encycl. Brit. VII. 277/1 Shirting..has long since ceased to refer exclusively to shirt cloths... Grey and white shirtings are exported to all the principal Eastern markets.
2015 Esquire Sept. 147/1 Shirtmakers advise against seduction by shirtings with yarn counts of over 200. These are said to be so delicate that shirts made of them won't endure wearings and washings.
2. The material of which a shirt consists; part of a shirt. Later also: shirts collectively.
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the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > textile fabric > textile fabric for specific purpose > [noun] > for clothing > for blouses or shirts > of which shirt is made
shirting1872
1872 ‘G. Eliot’ Middlemarch III. v. xlvi. 63 A troop of..hatless boys with their galligaskins much worn and scant shirting to hang out.
1994 Calgary (Alberta) Herald (Nexis) 3 May b8 And as more women opt for a crisp career look, Chiem notices increased demand for tops with both the classic features of men's shirting and the adornments featured on women's blouses.
1997 D. Jacobson in Granta Spring 180 A fragment of black bow-tie can be seen just beneath his beard; below that is a small, triangular section of white shirting.
2006 N.Y. Mag. 13 Mar. 64/4 Steven Alan's collection of rumpled shirting for men and women is perfect for brunch and a paper.
Compounds
General use as a modifier.
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1686 in W. H. Browne Arch. Maryland (1887) V. 487 Five Barrells of English Brandy or Spirits, two Barrells of Jamaica Sugar, one piece of shirting flannell.
1882 S. F. A. Caulfeild & B. C. Saward Dict. Needlework 447/2 Women's cuffs and collars are made largely in these Shirting-cloths.
1910 Encycl. Brit. VII. 277/1 The export shirting trade.
2015 Town & Country Sept. 54/3 A finished suit is brought out from storage so we can admire the details—the irregular hand stitching.., the one-of-a-kind shirting fabric that goes into the inner waist seam.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2021; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1604