hammercloth

[ ham-er-klawth, -kloth ]

noun

, plural ham·mer·cloths [ham, -er-klaw, th, z, -klo, th, z, -klawths, -kloths].

1. a cloth covering for the driver's seat on a horse-drawn carriage.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hammercloth¹

1425–75; late Middle English hamerclothe, dissimilated variant of *hamelcloth home-woven cloth, equivalent to hamel domestic (akin to Old Norse heimili homestead) + cloth ( e ) cloth

Example Sentences

Then, from a lateral path, a closed carriage and pair drove rapidly up to the Hall, and a footman bounced off the hammercloth.

From Project Gutenberg

The masses of gold lace by which the hammercloth and the attendants' liveries were ornamented had an extremely rich effect.

From Project Gutenberg

Why, 'twas atop of that very blue hammercloth that I first set eyes on my Dove!

From Project Gutenberg

The etymology of this hammercloth, which was simply a covering over the coach-box, seems to have puzzled people considerably.

From Project Gutenberg

There is no footboard, whilst a hammercloth for the footman is raised upon scroll ironwork, very well made.

From Project Gutenberg