[a. F. cretonne (in Savary Dict. du Comm. 1723), according to Hatzfeld and Darmesteter from Creton, a village of Normandy, famous for its linen manufactures.]
The French name of a strong fabric of hempen warp and linen woof; applied in England to a stout unglazed cotton cloth printed on one or both sides with a pattern in colors, and used for chair covers, curtains, and the like.
1870. Dasent, Annals Eventful Life (ed. 4), II. viii. 134. Chair-covers and sofa-covers, chintz or tammy,—crétonnes were not then invented, silly!—it was all alike; they all rose in rebellion under her.
1886. Funny Folks Ann., 47. In chintz, silk, velvet, rep, cretonne, and satin brocatelle.
attrib. 1887. R. N. Carey, Uncle Max, xix. 149. Pretty cretonne curtains.
