calico etymology

Etymology:

• caligo (Latin): "darkness, mist, gloom"

Meaning:

• A small, dark-colored crab with a flattened, spider-like shape
• A type of fabric with a repeating pattern of small, raised dots

Origin:

The word "calico" entered the English language in the 17th century from the Portuguese calecó, which ultimately derives from the Sanskrit kalikā, meaning "dark-colored."

The term originally referred to a type of cotton fabric woven in Calicut, India, which was characterized by its dark blue color. Over time, the word came to be used for any type of patterned cotton fabric, regardless of its color.

In the 19th century, the term "calico crab" was coined to describe a small, dark-colored crab found in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico. It is believed that the crab's appearance, which resembles a spider walking on water, inspired the name.

calico relate terms

• motley

  Etymology The word motley is derived from the following sources Old French motele

• piebald

  Etymology Pie From Middle English pie meaning a black and white horse Bald From

• pied

  Etymology The word pied derives from the Old English word pyd meaning a kind of clo

• chintz

  Etymology The word chintz originates from the Hindi word chhint meaning a drop of c

• cloth

  Etymology The word cloth derives from the Old English word clāð which is believed

• material

  Etymology Middle English materiale from Latin materiālis from materia matter M

• fabric

  Etymology The word fabric comes from the Latin word fabricare which means to make

• parti colored

  Etymology Origin Middle English from Anglo Norman French from Old French parti divid

• conflict

  Etymology The word conflict derives from the Latin word conflictus which means a st

• psychology

  Etymology Psycho from Greek psyche meaning mind soul or breath logy from Gree