Meaning of bawneen | Babel Free

Definitions

1. Woven wool or flannel; especially undyed, unbleached wool.
   Ireland, countable, uncountable
2. A traditional Irish "Aran" sweater.
   Ireland, countable, uncountable
3. A waistcoat with sleeves, typically worn by labourers and fishermen.
   Ireland, countable, uncountable

Examples

“Granna's rag rug still lay⟳ on the floor near the hearth, but it was more rag than rug now, and terribly dirty beside. The bawneen curtains were gone from the window, having been used to make⟳ bedding for wee Thomsy's cradle; [...]”

“Light⟳ flooded the small living-room, with its rope flooring, utility chairs and tables, electric storage heater, and gaudy red bawneen curtains. He made immediately for the window and pulled the curtains together with a swift furtive twitch.”

“I noticed she was looking closely at my jumper. [...] I remembered a bit of folklore I'd once heard that Island women used to weave secret patterns into their husbands' fishing bawneens to warn⟳ other women they were spoken for.”

“Out of the flannel the women made what were called bawneens for the men. A bawneen was a kind of sleeved waistcoat, buttoning up the front. Often trousers were made of this flannel, too.”

“... and trimming great quantities of single-width coarse frieze for conversion into the everlasting suits that farmers wore on Sundays, and like⟳ quantities of thick white flannel, which their wives made into sleeveless waistcoats or bawneens.”

CEFR level