antimacassar: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowFormal/Historical/Literary
Quick answer
What does “antimacassar” mean?
A piece of cloth placed over the back or arms of a chair or sofa to protect it from stains, especially from hair oil.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A piece of cloth placed over the back or arms of a chair or sofa to protect it from stains, especially from hair oil.
Historically, a decorative cover used on furniture in the 19th and early 20th centuries, originally designed to protect upholstery from Macassar oil (a popular hair product). Now often refers to any similar protective or ornamental cover, or serves as a historical/period term.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The object itself was common in both cultures during its period of use.
Connotations
In both varieties, it strongly connotes the past, formality, and a bygone domesticity.
Frequency
Extremely rare in active vocabulary for both, but slightly more likely to be encountered in British literature or period dramas describing domestic scenes.
Grammar
How to Use “antimacassar” in a Sentence
[to place/put] an antimacassar on [a chair/sofa]The [chair/armchair] [was protected/had] an antimacassar.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “antimacassar” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The careful housekeeper would antimacassar her best parlour chairs before guests arrived. (archaic/obsolete usage)
American English
- She made sure to antimacassar the velvet sofa to preserve it. (archaic/obsolete usage)
adjective
British English
- The antimacassar lace was exceptionally fine. (attributive use)
American English
- They sold antimacassar patterns for crochet enthusiasts. (attributive use)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or material culture studies discussing Victorian/Edwardian domestic life.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation. Might be used when discussing antiques or period home decor.
Technical
Used in antique furniture restoration, upholstery, or museum cataloguing.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “antimacassar”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “antimacassar”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “antimacassar”
- Mispronouncing it as 'anti-macaroni' or 'anti-massacre'.
- Using it to refer to any small cloth or modern furniture protector.
- Misspelling: 'antimaccassar', 'antimacasser'. Correct: antimacassar.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic term. You will encounter it primarily in historical novels, descriptions of antique furniture, or museums. It is not part of active modern vocabulary.
Macassar refers to Macassar oil, a popular hairstyling oil for men in the 19th century, named after the port of Makassar in Indonesia, from which ingredients were supposedly sourced. The cloth was 'anti' (against) this oily substance.
It would be historically inaccurate and sound odd. While a modern throw or protector serves a similar function, 'antimacassar' specifically evokes the small, often decorative, covers of the Victorian and Edwardian periods.
Yes, the standard plural is 'antimacassars'.
A piece of cloth placed over the back or arms of a chair or sofa to protect it from stains, especially from hair oil.
Antimacassar is usually formal/historical/literary in register.
Antimacassar: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæn.ti.məˈkæs.ə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæn.t̬i.məˈkæs.ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
ANTI-MACASSAR = ANTI (against) + MACASSAR (a type of hair oil). Think: "This cloth is ANTI (against) getting stained by MACASSAR oil."
Conceptual Metaphor
PROTECTION IS A COVERING (a physical barrier against decay/soiling); HISTORY IS A LAYER (the antimacassar is a literal layer from the past).
Practice
Quiz
What was the original purpose of an antimacassar?