A printed cotton fabric with a glazed finish, typically featuring bright floral patterns. Often used for curtains, upholstery, and home decorating.
From Hindi छींट (chīṅṭ) meaning 'spotted' or 'speckled', referring to the printed patterns on the fabric. The word entered English in the 17th century through British trade with India, where these colorful printed cottons were highly prized and imported to Europe.
Chintz was so popular in 17th-century Europe that it nearly destroyed the local textile industry, leading to protective laws banning its import! This 'spotted' fabric from India became such a luxury item that it sparked international trade wars and changed global fashion forever.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.