oilcloth

American  

[oil-klawth, -kloth] / ˈɔɪlˌklɔθ, -ˌklɒθ /

noun

• oilcloths
  plural

1. a cotton fabric made waterproof by being treated with oil and pigment, for use as tablecloths, shelf coverings, and the like.

2. a piece of this fabric.

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oilcloth British  

/ ˈɔɪlˌklɒθ /

noun

1. waterproof material made by treating one side of a cotton fabric with a drying oil, or a synthetic resin

2. another name for linoleum

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• oilcloths
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of oilcloth

First recorded in 1690–1700; oil + cloth

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Explanation

Oilcloth is a type of cotton fabric that has a waterproof layer on one side. You'd be more likely to buy a tablecloth made of oilcloth than a dress. Your grandmother might have a brightly colored oilcloth on her kitchen table: it feels smooth as plastic on the top, but the bottom is nubby or soft, absorbent cotton. Oilcloth was once commonly used to make rain coats and tents, but its seams were never totally waterproof, so it was replaced by waxed canvas and other materials. Oilcloth got its name from the boiled linseed oil coating used to make it waterproof.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

oilcloth oilcloths

“Swap out the linen cloth for a wipeable oilcloth when it’s time for the kids to do homework or an art project,” she advises.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 7, 2023

Apart from the boiler, other items on the tank include an oilcloth table cloth from the family's summer house, new Disney bedsheets for her children and a red blanket, she says.

From BBC ● May 31, 2022

There, inside an old country store with tables covered in colorful oilcloth, Heidi and Joe Trull present the kind of Southern meal you want to eat.

From New York Times ● May 17, 2013

Afterward, he mopped the oilcloth clean and took down the Hebrew books with their crumbling leather spines.

From The New Yorker ● Jan. 28, 2013

I could not see it, but I heard the steady wick of its wings, like the flapping of oilcloth.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros

In addition our party was provided with oilcloths for the better protection of the stores, and with mosquito netting.

From The Red Miriok by Anna M. Barnes

Camping outfits were all ready, and the boys observed that in addition to the winter’s supplies there were added large heavy oilcloths, like tarpaulins.

From Winter Adventures of Three Boys by J. E. Laughlin

Blankets rolled up, oilcloths, overcoats, tents, all of the very best material, piled up by the hundreds and thousands.

From History of Kershaw's Brigade by D. Augustus Dickert

Officers had had a hard day; they slept perhaps somewhat soundly, wrapped in their oilcloths, in the chilly rain, by the smallest of sputtering camp-fires.

From The Long Roll by Mary Johnston

Some examined knapsack and haversacks, good oilcloths, belts, rolled blankets, canteens, cartridge-boxes and cartridges, picked up upon the road.

From The Long Roll by Mary Johnston

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