mackinaw
UK[ˈmækɪnɔː]US[ˈmækɪnɔː]
n
a short, double-breasted coat of thick woolen material, often with a plaid pattern.
n
a heavy, dense woolen fabric, especially one used for making such coats.
Etymology
the word mackinaw originates from the name of a strategic strait and island in north america, the straits of mackinac. the name mackinac itself is an anglicization of the canadian french 'micillimackinac', which was derived from an ojibwe word meaning 'great turtle'. in the early 19th century, the term became associated with a type of thick blanket traded at fort mackinac. this association evolved, and by the mid-1800s, 'mackinaw' specifically referred to the heavy wool fabric and the short, sturdy coat made from it, favored by frontiersmen and lumberjacks for its warmth and durability. thus, a geographical name transformed into a standard term for a quintessential piece of outdoor workwear.
Analysis
this word is a toponym, borrowed directly from the place name mackinac. it does not contain separable morphemes in the english language.
Examples
the lumberjack pulled on his thick mackinaw before heading out into the snowy forest.
the blanket was made from a traditional red-and-black mackinaw.
he preferred a mackinaw for hunting because it was warm, quiet, and rugged.