nainsook

[ neyn-soo k, nan- ]

/ ˈneɪn sʊk, ˈnæn- /

a fine, soft-finished cotton fabric, usually white, used for lingerie and infants' wear.

Origin of nainsook

1780–90; < Urdu, Hindi nainsukh, equivalent to nain the eye + sukh pleasure

One was cambric, one was fine lawn or nainsook, and one of dimity.

A Little Girl in Old New York |Amanda Millie Douglas
Slips are usually made of some very soft material such as nainsook, batiste, pearline, or sheer lawn cloth.

The Mother and Her Child |William S. Sadler
When small folded maps are badly torn line them throughout with Japanese tissue, jaconet or nainsook.

Notes on Bookbinding for Libraries |John Cotton Dana
Being clothed only in nainsook, he took a severe cold, which soon resulted in febrile symptoms.

Every-Day Errors of Speech |L. P. Meredith

The framework and ribs were made entirely of Riga pine; the surface fabric was nainsook.

A History of Aeronautics |E. Charles Vivian

nainsook

/ (ˈneɪnsʊk, ˈnæn-) /

a light soft plain-weave cotton fabric, used esp for babies' wear

C19: from Hindi nainsukh, literally: delight to the eye, from nain eye + sukh delight, from Sanskrit sukha