Glastonbury chair

noun

1. a folding chair having legs crossed front-to-back and having arms connected to the back and to the front seat rail.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Glastonbury chair¹

First recorded in 1850–55; after the abbey of Glastonbury in SW England, site of the original chair

Example Sentences

When the oaken door covered with huge nails and floriated hinges was closed, John sat down upon what is called a Glastonbury chair and gazed at his friend who was seated upon a gilt throne under a canopy of faded azure that was embroidered with golden unicorns, wyverns, and other fabulous monsters in a pasture of silver fleurs-de-lys.

From Project Gutenberg

In the vestry Julia rested in a Glastonbury chair, white and still, with her hands resting in her lap.

From Project Gutenberg

The place contains many interesting curios such as the clock from Godolphin House, a Jacobean bed, the Glastonbury chair, and a pair of silver candlesticks in which the prickets have given place to sockets, and which Lord St. Levan believes to be unique.

From Project Gutenberg

Pugin copied the Glastonbury chair, but his clients demanded comfort, and the upright chairs for the Houses of Commons and Lords are almost obscenely well padded.

From The Guardian

The laughter came forth, peal after peal, in long and deafening explosions, till the house vibrated with the sound, and till at last the ex-brigand sank exhausted into the Glastonbury chair.

From Project Gutenberg