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countable and uncountable, plural calicos or calicoes
(textiles) A kind of rough cloth made from unbleached and not fully processed cotton, often printed with a bright pattern. quotations examples
This helix was covered with calico, and then a second wire applied in the same manner.
1832, Michael Faraday, “Experimental Researches in Electricity”, in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, volume 122, page 126
(countable, zoology) Ellipsis of calico cat. quotations
One of them, a calico whose half-grown kittens he just fed, slow-blinks at him, an affectionate gesture.
2022, N. K. Jemisin, The World We Make, Orbit, page 111
(uncountable) The plant disease caused by Tobacco mosaic virus. examples
Made of calico or resembling the color of calico cloth, having a pattern of red and contrasting areas; variegated. quotations examples
Sara, oh Sara / Scorpio Sphinx in a calico dress
1976, Bob Dylan (lyrics and music), “Sara”, in Desire