khakis
UK[ˈkɑːkiz]US[ˈkækiz]
n
a strong, yellowish‑brown or greenish‑brown cotton cloth, used especially for making military uniforms
n
trousers or other clothes made from khaki cloth
Etymology
the word 'khaki' entered english in the mid‑19th century from the colonial british indian army context. it originates from the urdu/hindi word 'khākī', meaning 'dust‑colored', which itself is derived from the persian 'khāk', meaning 'dust' or 'earth'. this term was adopted to describe the dull, yellowish‑brown uniforms introduced to provide better camouflage in arid landscapes. over time, 'khaki' evolved from a specific military fabric description into a common term for both the color and the casual trousers made from it, solidifying its place in everyday english vocabulary.
Analysis
the word 'khaki' is a loanword from urdu (via hindi), derived from the persian word 'khāk', meaning 'dust' or 'earth'. it functions as a simplex adjective/noun in english, describing the color or cloth.
Examples
he wore a pair of faded khakis and a polo shirt.
the soldiers' uniforms were made of a durable khaki.
she prefers khakis for their comfort and neutral color.