GINGHAM

gingham, a cotton or linen cloth, for the name of which several origins are suggested. it is said to have been made at guingamp, a town in brittany; the _new english dictionary_ derives the word from malay _ging-gang_, meaning "striped." the cloth is now of a light or medium weight, and woven of dyed or white yarns either in a single colour or different colours, and in stripes, checks or plaids. it is made in lancashire and in glasgow, and also to a large extent in the united states. imitations of it are obtained by calico-printing. it is used for dresses, &c.