lockram: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / ObsoleteArchaic / Historical
Quick answer
What does “lockram” mean?
A coarse, rough linen cloth of the 17th-18th centuries.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A coarse, rough linen cloth of the 17th-18th centuries.
A historical fabric, typically of a cheap quality, originally made in Brittany and often used for clothing for servants or the poor, or for purposes such as sailcloth or sacks.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No modern difference; the word is equally obsolete in both varieties.
Connotations
Historical, rustic, utilitarian, often associated with lower social classes.
Frequency
Extremely rare, encountered only in historical texts or discussions of historical textiles.
Grammar
How to Use “lockram” in a Sentence
N/A (noun)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical studies, textile history, or literary analysis of period works.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Used in historical textile cataloguing or reproduction.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lockram”
- Using it as a verb or adjective.
- Assuming it is a modern term.
- Capitalising it (not a proper noun).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic term encountered only in historical contexts or literature.
It was used for utilitarian purposes: clothing for servants and the poor, sailcloth, sacks, and linings.
It derives from Locronan, a town in Brittany, France, known for its linen production.
No, it is solely a noun referring to the fabric itself.
A coarse, rough linen cloth of the 17th-18th centuries.
Lockram is usually archaic / historical in register.
Lockram: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlɒkrəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlɑːkrəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “N/A”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a LOCKed chest full of coarse, rough RAM-wool... but it's actually a type of LINEN cloth.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A (concrete historical object).
Practice
Quiz
What is 'lockram' primarily?