antimacassar

[an-ti-muh-kas-er]

noun

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

antimacassar

/ ˌæntɪməˈkæsə /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of antimacassar¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of antimacassar¹

C19: from _anti- + _Macassar ( _oil )

Example Sentences

She earned money by crocheting antimacassars and occasional sex work.

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“Somebody bought them to make them into antimacassars,” Schreier says, her voice rising in outrage.

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Though my memories of that summer are mostly indoor memories—memories of antimacassars and tea towels and biscuits—I retain a vivid outdoor memory as well.

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Annie’s addiction propelled her from the top of the working class, wife of the head coachman on a country estate, into a hand-to-mouth existence hawking crocheted antimacassars and flowers.

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The adults’ entries were delicate works of art, collars and antimacassars as detailed and fine as a spider’s web.

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