davenport

¹ American  

[dav-uhn-pawrt, -pohrt] / ˈdæv ənˌpɔrt, -ˌpoʊrt /

noun

1. a large sofa, often one convertible into a bed.

2. Chiefly British. a small writing desk.

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Davenport ² American  

[dav-uhn-pawrt, -pohrt] / ˈdæv ənˌpɔrt, -ˌpoʊrt /

noun

1. John, 1597–1670, Puritan clergyman: one of the founders of New Haven.

2. a city in E Iowa, on the Mississippi River.

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davenport British  

/ ˈdævənˌpɔːt /

noun

1. a tall narrow desk with a slanted writing surface and drawers at the side

2. a large sofa, esp one convertible into a bed

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Etymology

Origin of davenport

First recorded in 1850–55; the desk is said to be named after a Captain Davenport who first commissioned it

Example Sentences

County cities, as well as unincorporated areas, offer residents some way or another to report such nuisances as dumped davenports, potholes, graffiti and roadkill.

From Los Angeles Times

We went back in the house—dim now with twilight—and sat by the window on a long davenport that had a sheet thrown over it.

From Literature

One day in January, near the turnstile at the exit of the 125th Street subway station, something caught my eye: a sepia-toned photograph that showed what looked like three siblings sitting on a davenport.

From New York Times

Then, as another thought struck her, Mama collapsed onto the leather davenport there in the front hall.

From Literature

The very first Saturday after the Fair they made a leaf house on the hill, with a red room and a yellow room and piles of leaves for chairs and davenports and tables.

From Literature