Definition of bed linen

The origin of the word "bed linen" can be traced back to Old English, a language spoken in England between the 5th and 11th centuries. In Old English, the term for bed linens was "beddynge," which was composed of two words: "bedd" which meant bed, and "dynne" which meant linen or cotton. The term "beddynge" evolved over time, and during the Middle English period (1100-1476), the word "bedlynyn" was used to refer to sheets and other bed linens. Later in the 16th century, the term was shortened to "beddynge" again, before finally being simplified to "bed linen" in modern English. The word "linen" itself comes from the Old English word "lenigne," which meant flax, the plant used to make linen fabric. As linen was commonly used to make bed linens in the past, the term "bed linen" has come to specifically refer to sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers, and other fabrics used to dress beds. Today, "bed linen" is still widely used in English-speaking countries, particularly in the context of high-end bedding and luxury linens. Its origins in Old English highlight the long history of in-home textile production in Western culture, and how those traditions have evolved over time.