The Collaborative International Dictionary
Linen \Lin"en\, n. [Prop. an adj. from OE. lin flax, AS. l[=i]n flax, whence l[=i]nen made of flax; akin to OS., Icel., & MHG. l[=i]n flax and linen, G. lein, leinen, linen, Sw. lin flax, Goth. lein linen, L. linum flax, linen, Gr. li`non. Cf. Line, Linseed.]
Thread or cloth made of flax or (rarely) of hemp; -- used in a general sense to include cambric, shirting, sheeting, towels, tablecloths, etc.; as, bed linens ``In linen white as milk.''
--Robert of Brunne.-
Underclothing, esp. the shirt, as being, in former times, chiefly made of linen.
Linen draper, a dealer in linen.
Linen prover, a small microscope for counting the threads in a given space in linen fabrics.
Linen scroll, Linen pattern (Arch.), an ornament for filling panels, copied from the folds of a piece of stuff symmetrically disposed.
Wiktionary
n. A small microscope for counting the threads in a given space in linen fabrics.