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Calico: meaning, definitions and examples

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calico

 

[ หˆkรฆlษชkoสŠ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

color pattern

Calico refers to a color pattern found mainly in domestic cats, characterized by patches of three distinct colors: white, black, and orange. This pattern occurs due to a genetic trait, specifically related to the X chromosome. While calico is often associated with female cats, male calico cats can exist but are extremely rare. The distinct and vibrant appearance of calico cats has made them popular among pet owners and animal lovers alike.

Synonyms

multicolored, patchy, tortoiseshell

Examples of usage

  • I adopted a beautiful calico cat from the shelter.
  • Calico patterns can be seen on various breeds of cats.
  • The calico cat strutted confidently across the yard.

Translations

Translations of the word "calico" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น calico

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เฅˆเคฒเคฟเค•เฅ‹

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Kaliko

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ calico

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะบะฐะปั–ะบะพ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ kaliko

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚ซใƒชใ‚ณ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท calicot

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ calico

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท calico

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์นผ๋ฆฌ์ฝ”

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูƒุงู„ูŠูƒูˆ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ kaliko

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ kaliko

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅกๅˆฉ็ง‘

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ kaliko

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ kaliko

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะบะฐะปะธะบะพ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ™แƒแƒšแƒ˜แƒ™แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ kaliko

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ calico

Etymology

The term 'calico' originates from the early 17th century, derived from the city of Calicut in India, known for its colorful cotton textiles. The fabric was initially imported to Europe, and the vibrant patterns soon influenced terminology across various cultures. In the context of cats, the application of 'calico' to describe a specific color pattern began in the late 19th century as breeding practices in domesticated cats became more pronounced. The pattern itself is attributed to genetics, specifically how color genes are expressed in a cat's fur based on their X chromosomes. This colorful distinction not only enhanced the popularity of calico cats but also led to the development of breed standards among cat fanciers. Today, calico cats have become symbols of uniqueness and rarity, especially when considering male calicos, which occur in about 1 in every 3,000 calico cats due to genetic anomalies.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,435, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.