Dutch wife

American  

noun

1. (in tropical countries) an open framework used in bed as a rest for the limbs.

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Dutch wife British  

noun

1. a long hard bolster used, esp in the tropics, to support one's uppermost knee when sleeping on one's side

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Etymology

Origin of Dutch wife

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

His Dutch wife Ginni van Katwijk — yes, she’s also a high diver competing this week in Japan — has her own injury file.

From Seattle Times

But she thinks even her British-born husband Tim, and one of her sons and his Dutch wife will "all be rooting for Denmark", she says.

From BBC

He made portraits of subjects including his Dutch wife and Rousseau in “exotic” Eastern costumes at a time when fashion was regarded as an integral aspect of good portraiture.

From Washington Post

Once Kirsten arrived three days into my weeklong trip, we stayed two nights in the area’s oldest hotel, Adobe Guadalupe, an elegant inn built in 1999 by an American businessman and his Dutch wife, who came to the valley to make wine and raise horses.

From New York Times

Hilali and his native Dutch wife were among more than 5,000 plaintiffs who brought a class-action lawsuit against Wilders for discrimination, for his comments at that March 2014 rally.

From Los Angeles Times