Gladstone bag

American  

noun

1. a small rectangular suitcase hinged to open into two compartments of equal size.

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Gladstone bag British  

noun

1. a piece of hand luggage consisting of two equal-sized hinged compartments

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Etymology

Origin of Gladstone bag

First recorded in 1880–85; after W.E. Gladstone

Example Sentences

At meetings of collectors' clubs, he often appears lugging in his thin white fingers an ancient dilapidated Gladstone bag.

From Time Magazine Archive

Gladstone bag and all, the book has become a delicious and gossipy literary event in England.

From Time Magazine Archive

You heard of "Hooverize," a "Gladstone" bag, but Maverick is unique.

From Time Magazine Archive

His blond hair has silvered satisfactorily, and his craggily handsome face is tanned and as well-creased as an heirloom Gladstone bag.

From Time Magazine Archive

He was vainly trying to strap a Gladstone bag, and was muttering imprecations under his breath.

From Jill's Red Bag by Le Feuvre, Amy