I. ˈkalə̇ˌkō, -lē- noun
( plural calicoes or calicos )
Etymology: from Calicut, city in India from which it was first imported
1.
a. obsolete : cotton cloth usually figured imported from India
b. : any of various cotton stuffs of European make
c. Britain : a plain white cotton fabric that is heavier than muslin
d. : any of various cheap cotton fabrics with figured patterns
2. : any of several plant diseases usually of virus origin characterized by leaf variegation: as
a. : the mosaic disease of tobacco ; also : a plant affected with this disease
b. : a virus disease of the potato
c. : a virus disease of celery
3. : a blotched or spotted animal: as
a. : a horse with calico markings : piebald
b. : black crappie
c. : a goldfish of any fancy breed having thin transparent scales and a pigmented skin showing spots and blotches
4. slang : girl , woman
II. adjective
1. : made of calico
2. : resembling calico in appearance : multicolored ; specifically : marked with well-defined patches of color (as on a tortoiseshell cat)