Obs. [f. LINE sb.1 + CLOTH; the vowel of the first element underwent the shortening usual in compounds.
In the first quot., however, linne seems to represent the accus. of LINEN a.]
a. Linen cloth; a piece of the same. b. pl. Sheets for a bed.
c. 1290. S. Eng. Leg., I. 171/2261. Fastinge for to make, And … Linne cloth and schurte of selk for is sunnes forsake.
1340. Ayenb., 178. Vor to zeche þe more grace of clennesse, ase þet line cloþ þet is y-huyted be ofte wessinge.
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 140. And þar him eft clethis, All his liche in lyn claþe.
c. 1450. Douce MS. 55 (Bodl.), xxix. Ley hem in a feyre lyncloth.
1506. Inv., in Paston Lett., III. 408. Item, ij. payre of lyncloys viijd. Ibid. Item, ij. schertis and a quarter of lynclothe ijs. vjd. Ibid., 409. Item, a stomaker of lenclothe viijd. Ibid., 410. Item, a yerd of lynclothe viijd. Ibid. John Keduray, a payre of lynclothys.
1519. Horman, Vulg., 242. Paper, or lyn clothe … make fenestrals in stede of glasen wyndowes.
1581. Acc. Bk. W. Wray, in Antiquary, XXXII. 117. i pece of harborow lynne clothe, vs. vjd.
1603. Owen, Pembrokeshire, i. (1891), 5. Well serued of manye forraine Comodities … as with Wynes,… Iron Lincloth &c.
