khaki
UK[ˈkɑːki]US[ˈkæki]
adj
Of a dull brownish-yellow color.
n
A strong cotton or wool fabric of a dull brownish-yellow color, used especially in military clothing.
Etymology
The word 'khaki' entered the English language in the mid-19th century from Urdu, a language of South Asia. Its ultimate origin is the Persian word 'khāk', which means "dust" or "earth". The term was adopted by the British Indian Army to describe the dust-colored uniforms first used in the region, a practical measure for camouflage. This direct borrowing preserved the original meaning, linking the color and the fabric inextricably to its descriptive purpose derived from the natural hue of soil and dust.
Analysis
The word is a loanword from Urdu, itself derived from the Persian word 'khāk', meaning "dust" or "earth". It functions as a single semantic unit in English.
Examples
He wore a pair of old khaki trousers for gardening.
The soldiers were dressed in standard-issue khaki.
The landscape was painted in shades of brown and khaki.