[mass noun](Brit.)a type of cotton cloth, typically plain white or unbleached (英)(尤指本白或未漂白的)白棉布 [as modifier]a calico dress. 白棉布连衣裙。 ■(N. Amer.)printed cotton fabric (北美)印花棉布
adjective
(N. Amer.)(of an animal, typically a cat) multicoloured or piebald (北美)(动物,尤指猫)杂色的;有花斑的
语源
mid 16th cent. (originally also calicut): alteration of Calicut, where the fabric originated