woolsack
Americannoun
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a sack or bag of wool.
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British.
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(in the House of Lords) one of a number of cloth-covered seats or divans stuffed with wool, for the use of judges, especially one for the Lord Chancellor.
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the Lord Chancellor's office.
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noun
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a sack containing or intended to contain wool
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(in Britain) the seat of the Lord Chancellor in the House of Lords, formerly made of a large square sack of wool
Etymology
Origin of woolsack
Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at wool, sack 1
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.
At the end of her final day on the woolsack on Wednesday there was a break with usual Lords etiquette as she was cheered and clapped as business for the day ended.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2011
Baroness Hayman chairs debates from the traditional woolsack, offers advice on procedural matters and acts as an ambassador for the work of the House.
From BBC ● Jun. 28, 2011
At Wembley, he should sit on a woolsack.
From The Guardian ● Mar. 24, 2010
Last weekend, with the peers away for their Whitsuntide recess, the Lord Great Chamberlain, who has charge of the Houses of Parliament, ordered the woolsack ripped open, stuffed with real wool.
From Time Magazine Archive
He told me that he was the youngest Lord Chancellor, with one exception, that had ever sat on the woolsack.
From Under Four Administrations From Cleveland to Taft by Oscar S. Straus
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