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Synonyms

counterpane

American  
[koun-ter-peyn] / ˈkaʊn tərˌpeɪn /

noun

Older Use.
  1. a quilt or coverlet for a bed; bedspread.


counterpane British  
/ ˈkaʊntəˌpeɪn /

noun

  1. another word for bedspread

"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

Other Word Forms

  • counterpaned adjective

Etymology

Origin of counterpane

1425–75; counter- + pane (in obsolete sense bedspread); replacing late Middle English counterpoynte < Middle French contre-pointe quilt, alteration (by association with contre- counter- ) of cou ( s ) tepointe, coitepointe < Latin culcita puncta pricked pillow. See quilt, point

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Out of these deep surrounding shades rose high, and glared white, the piled-up mattresses and pillows of the bed, spread with a snowy Marseilles counterpane.

From Literature

His eyes were bloodshot and his hands clutched the counterpane.

From Literature

Under the chintz counterpane the sheets would be starchily pure.

From Literature

He had carefully turned back the counterpane, which was white as snow.

From Literature

Then she jumped down from the sill, onto the bed, where she wrapped herself into a curl of fur and went back to sleep, a circle of cat upon the old counterpane.

From Literature