madras
pronunciation
How to pronounce madras in British English:
UK [məˈdræs]
How to pronounce madras in American English:
US [mə'dræs]
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- Noun:
- a light patterned cotton cloth
Word Origin
- madras (adj.)
- 1833, in reference to the former Indian state of Madras (modern Chennai, a Tamil name), from which this type of bright-colored muslin cloth was exported. The British fort there dates from 1639; the name sometimes is said to be from Sanskrit mandra, a god of the underworld, but perhaps rather from Arabic madrasa "school" or Portuguese Madre (de Deus).
Example
- 1. Only when she became principal of the madras school was she allowed to open her own letters .
- 2. Nor has it escaped my attention that she is indian , born in what was then madras ( now chennai ) .
- 3. Dr. smith , president of manhattanville college in purchase , n.y. , where 16 percent of the student body is from outside the united states , said she was interested in exploring an exchange with her alma mater , madras christian college , one of india 's leading schools .
- 4. We were together only during the few days the steamer took from calcutta to madras , but it became quite evident that depth of friendship does not depend upon length of acquaintance .
- 5. Pepsico 's ( pep ) indra nooyi studied chemistry , physics , and math at madras christian college in india before getting her graduate degree at indian institute of management .