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Kantha

3 stages from Sanskrit to English.

Today it means A traditional Bengali embroidered quilt made by stitching together layers of old cloth.

Where does the word "kantha" come from? It comes from Sanskrit kontha, passing through Bengali before entering English (20th c.).

1
Stage 1 of 3
kontha
Sanskrit · ancient
"rags, patched cloth"
meant 'rags'
2
Stage 2 of 3
kantha
Bengali · medieval
"a rag quilt with running-stitch embroidery"
named a quilt of stitched-together rags, embroidered by rural women
3
Stage 3 of 3
kantha
English · 20th c.
"a traditional Bengali embroidered quilt made from layered cloth"
adopted by English-language textile and craft writing
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