/ ˈflænl; NAmE / noun
1.
[ U ] a type of soft light cloth, containing cotton or wool, used for making clothes :
a flannel shirt
a grey flannel suit
2.
(also face·cloth ) (both BrE ) ( NAmE wash·cloth ) [ C ] a small piece of cloth used for washing yourself :
a face flannel
3.
flannels [ pl. ] trousers / pants made of flannel
4.
[ U ] ( BrE , informal ) words that do not have much meaning and that avoid telling sb what they want to know
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : probably from Welsh gwlanen woollen article, from gwlân wool.