A fine, heavy linen fabric with a glazed finish, historically used for apparel and furnishings.
From French 'altoune' or Dutch origins, possibly related to place names or specific manufacturing centers. This textile term appeared in English fabric trade documents and fashion references from medieval through Renaissance periods.
Medieval cloth merchants had dozens of specialized names for different fabric types that most people today have never heard of—'altoun' represented fine, expensive linen that only wealthy people could afford, and knowing fabric names was like knowing luxury brands today.
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