antimacassar

[ an-ti-muh-kas-er ]

noun

1. a small covering, usually ornamental, placed on the backs and arms of upholstered furniture to prevent wear or soiling; a tidy.

antimacassar

/ ˌæntɪməˈkæsə /

noun

1. a cloth covering the back and arms of chairs, etc, to prevent soiling or as decoration

Word History and Origins

Origin of antimacassar¹

First recorded in 1850–55; anti- + Macassar (oil)

Word History and Origins

Origin of antimacassar¹

C19: from anti- + Macassar ( oil )

Example Sentences

She earned money by crocheting antimacassars and occasional sex work.

From BBC

“Somebody bought them to make them into antimacassars,” Schreier says, her voice rising in outrage.

From Washington Post

Though my memories of that summer are mostly indoor memories—memories of antimacassars and tea towels and biscuits—I retain a vivid outdoor memory as well.

From The New Yorker

Annie’s addiction propelled her from the top of the working class, wife of the head coachman on a country estate, into a hand-to-mouth existence hawking crocheted antimacassars and flowers.

From Washington Post

The adults’ entries were delicate works of art, collars and antimacassars as detailed and fine as a spider’s web.

From Literature