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

His strength was neurosis, and the best of his etchings, with their strangely modern battles of id and antimacassar, are illustrations of a Freudian maxim: civilization is repression.

From Time Magazine Archive

One of the few complaints of Corriere staffers is that in holding to 19th century standards, the paper often seems as fusty as an antimacassar.

From Time Magazine Archive

This bit of bravado did not seriously damage Raphael's reputation, and the Pre-Raphaelites themselves grew to seem the epitome of Victorianism, sweet as treacle and finicky as a lace antimacassar.

From Time Magazine Archive

A novel by Vienna's Heimito von Doderer is rather like an Eames chair draped with an antimacassar.

From Time Magazine Archive

The edge of the antimacassar is ornamented with a grey woollen fringe.

From Beeton's Book of Needlework by Beeton, Mrs. (Isabella Mary)