Sateens

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of fabric, typically cotton or a blend, known for its smooth, glossy finish and often used in clothing and upholstery
2. Referring to a woven textile that resembles satin but is commonly made from cotton, offering durability and a soft sheen
3. Describing a material characterized by a lustrous surface, frequently used in making garments or home furnishings due to its pleasing appearance and texture

Etymology: "Sateens" is the plural of "sateen," a glossy cotton cloth that imitates the sheen of silk satin. The singular is a 19th-century variant of "satin," and it was probably shaped by analogy with "velveteen," the cotton imitation of velvet. That pairing tells the story: cotton fabrics were made to look like costlier silk and velvet, and the name followed the same pattern, with "-een" added to suggest a cheaper cloth.

Synonyms: satin fabrics, smooth fabrics