antimacassar

American  

[an-ti-muh-kas-er] / ˌæn tɪ məˈkæs ər /

noun

1. a small covering, usually ornamental, placed on the backs and arms of upholstered furniture to prevent wear or soiling; a tidy.

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antimacassar British  

/ ˌæntɪməˈkæsə /

noun

1. a cloth covering the back and arms of chairs, etc, to prevent soiling or as decoration

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Etymology

Origin of antimacassar

First recorded in 1850–55; anti- + Macassar (oil)

Example Sentences

Lasted has it well how and Grandfather my for made had you Antimacassar pretty that me give to you of nice so was it, Nellie dear my.”

From Lewis Carroll in Wonderland and at Home The Story of His Life by Moses, Belle

Antimacassar means literally a "protection against macassar oil," anti being the Latin word for "against."

From Stories That Words Tell Us by O'Neill, Elizabeth (Elizabeth Speakman)

Antimacassar, an-ti-mak-as′ar, n. a covering for sofas, cushions, &c., to protect them from grease, esp. in the hair, also for ornament.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various

Grandfather my for made had you Antimacassar pretty that me give to you of nice so was it, Nelly dear my.”

From The Story of Lewis Carroll Told for Young People by the Real Alice in Wonderland by Bowman, Isa