antimacassar

[ an-ti-muh-kas-er ]

/ ˌæn tɪ məˈkæs ər /

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noun

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

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of antimacassar

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

Words nearby antimacassar

antilock brake, antilog, antilogarithm, antilogism, antilogy, antimacassar, Antimachus, antimagnetic, antimalarial, antimanic, antimask

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use antimacassar in a sentence

Old Nick threw the antimacassar under the sofa, and his face resumed its most serious expression.
Dry Fish and Wet|Anthon Bernhard Elias Nilsen
Then Charles put his feet in an antimacassar and dragged it to the floor.
The Incredible Honeymoon|E. Nesbit
Over the back was an ecru antimacassar, tied with a pale-blue ribbon.
Mrs. Bindle|Hebert Jenkins
Had not the donative antimacassar already established a claim upon the Treachers' gratitude?
Major Vigoureux|A. T. Quiller-Couch

The tree grew admirably upon the china plate under the cover of an antimacassar.
The Ivory Child|H. Rider Haggard

British Dictionary definitions for antimacassar

antimacassar

/ (ˌæntɪməˈkæsə) /

noun

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

Word Origin for antimacassar

C19: from anti- + Macassar (oil)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012