clothn.
/klɒθ/, /klɔːθ/, U.S. /klɔθ/, /klɑθ/ I. With a in singular. Plural cloths, formerly clothes.† 5. painted cloth: a hanging for a room painted or worked with figures, mottoes or texts; tapestry.† 6. The canvas n. on which a picture is painted.† 8. A definite quantity or length of woven fabric; a ‘piece’. Obsolete.
1.
a. A piece of pliable woven or felted stuff, suitable for wrapping or winding round, spreading or folding over, drying, wiping, or other purpose; a swaddling or winding cloth, wrap, covering, veil, curtain, handkerchief, towel, etc. = Latin pannus.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > textile fabric > [noun] > piece of
sheetc725
clotha800
panec1300
dagonc1386
lap?a1400
shred?a1400
ringe1726
a8001 [see sense 1b].
c890 tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. iii. xi. (Bosw.) Heo þa moldan on claðe bewand [L. inligatam panno].
OE Cynewulf Crist II 725 He in binne wæs in cildes hiw claþum bewunden.
c1000 Sax. Leechd. II. 274 Awring þurh claþ.
c1000 Sax. Leechd. II. 260 Do on clæþ.
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: John (Corpus Cambr.) xix. 40 Hiȝ namon þæs hælendes lichaman and bewundon hine mid linenum claðe.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 8832 Ane cule of ane blake claðe [c1300 Otho one blake couele].
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 7 Yt wolde a rere And bere vp grete cloþes.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xvi. i. 825 Ȝif grauele is yþrowe on a white cloþe it defoileþ it nouȝt.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 16762 + 92 Þe clothe þat in þe temple was, In middes it clef in twoo.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 15299 Crist..wesshe: alle her feet bi dene And wiþ his clooþ aftirward: wipud hem ful clene.
1520 R. Elyot Will in T. Elyot Gouernour (1880) I. App. A. 312 I will that John Mychell..have a gowne cloth.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 206/1 Clothe to put on a herce, poille.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 6204 A chariot full choise..couert with a cloth all of clene gold.
1595 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 i. iv. 158 This cloth thou dipts in bloud of my sweet boy.
1614 G. Markham Cheape & Good Husbandry (1668) i. i. 5 Rub all his body and legs over with dry cloaths.
1672 Compl. Gunner i. ix. 12 Pour it [the Lixivium] into wooden Vessels that are broad and cover them over with cloaths.
1810 R. Southey Curse of Kehama xv. 164 The cloth which girt his loins.
1841 E. W. Lane tr. Thousand & One Nights I. 122 Having a cloth round the waist.
1887 Daily News 30 Apr. 5/3 To give a cloth as a present is a very common thing in India.
1891 N.E.D. at Cloth Mod. Bring a cloth to wipe it up. Ricks protected by waterproof cloths.
b. With attribute expressing purpose: as altar-cloth, barm-cloth, board-cloth, bolt-cloth, bolting-cloth, chrism-cloth, loin-cloth, neck-cloth, tablecloth, etc. See these words. To this head belong the earliest recorded examples of the word, among which are Old English cildcláð child-cloth, swaddling cloth, flyhteclað patch.
ΚΠ
a800 Corpus Gloss. (O.E.T.) 491 Commisura (= patch) flycticlað.
a800 Corpus Gloss. (O.E.T.) 623 Cunae, cildclaðas.
c1000 Ælfric Gloss. (Wr.-W. 124/30) Cune, cildclaðes.
c1000 Ælfric Gloss. (Wr.-W. 127/2) Mappula bearmclað.
2. spec. = tablecloth n.: a covering for a table, particularly that spread on it when it is ‘laid’ for a meal.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > household linen > table linen > [noun] > tablecloth
board-clothc1200
clothc1300
napec1400
tablecloth1438
underclothc1440
couchc1460
copea1475
dresser1571
coucher1572
c1300 Beket 691 Hi leide bord and spradde cloth.
c1400 Ywaine & Gaw. 758 A clene klath, and brede tharone.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) v. 388 [Douglas] fand the met all reddy grathit, Vith burdis set and clathis laid.
1552 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16279) Administr. Lordes Supper sig. M.vi The Table hauyng at the Communion tyme a fayre white lynnen clothe vpon it.
1650 R. Stapleton tr. F. Strada De Bello Belgico i. 6 When the Cloth was taken away after dinner.
1672 R. Wild Let. Declar. Liberty Conscience 3 My Wife was laying the cloth.
1727 P. Longueville Hermit 25 Laid the Cloth.
c1850 Arabian Nights (Rtldg.) 482 Supper was ready, and the cloth was spread.
1870 E. Peacock Ralf Skirlaugh III. 161 Soon after the cloth was drawn.
3.
Thesaurus »
Categories »
a. A sail (obsolete).
b. The sails of a ship collectively; ‘canvas’.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > masts, rigging, or sails > sail > [noun] > collectively
sailc1385
canvas1609
linensa1640
cloth1651
white wings1778
clothing1798
muslin1822
sailage1889
c1400 (?c1380) Patience l. 105 Gederen to þe gyde ropes, þe grete cloþ falles.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 9531 Fyve hundrith..shippes [were] Consumet full cleane, clothes & other.
1651 S. Sheppard Epigrams ii. xix. 27 Make all the cloth you can, haste, haste away, The Pirate will o'retake you if you stay.
1653 H. Cogan tr. F. M. Pinto Voy. & Adventures iv. 10 Our best advice was, to sail the rest of the night with as little cloth as might be..We clapt on all our cloth.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. (at cited word) When a ship has broad sails they say she spreads much cloth.
c. One of the several breadths of canvas of which a sail is composed.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > masts, rigging, or sails > sail > [noun] > material of sails > piece of cloth forming part of sail
sailclothc1275
cloth1674
headcloth1847
1674 T. Miller Compl. Modellist (1676) 4 You are to place your middle cloth first in a top-sail.
1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine at Sail The edges of the cloths, or pieces, of which a sail is composed, are generally sewed together with a double seam.
1882 G. S. Nares Seamanship (ed. 6) 10 A cloth, a whole strip of canvas; eighteen inches to two feet in breadth.
Categories »
d. in combination applied to various pieces of canvas used on board a ship, as mast-cloth n. at mast n.1 Compounds 2, quarter cloth n. at quarter n. Compounds 4, waist-cloth n., etc.
e. to shake (have) a cloth in the wind: to get too near to the wind, so that the sails shiver; figurative to be ragged in clothing; to be slightly intoxicated (cf. ‘to be three sheets in the wind’). slang.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > wearing clothing > [verb (intransitive)] > in specific way > types of
to cover (one's head)c1340
scrub1590
wimple1591
sag1592
to go thina1610
to be covered1611
rustlea1616
to keep on1621
veil1714
to shake (have) a cloth in the wind1834
smock-frock1840
pad1873
tighten1896
tight-lace1898
the world > food and drink > drink > thirst > excess in drinking > [verb (intransitive)] > be drunk > be partially drunk
to drink wine apec1405
to have on or wear a barley-cap1598
to float in one's cups1630
to have a drop in one's eye1699
to shake (have) a cloth in the wind1834
to have drink taken1924
1834 F. Marryat Peter Simple III. i. 2 I found all my family well and hearty; but they all shook a cloth in the wind with respect to toggery.
1836 E. Howard Rattlin xliii As the seamen say, they all had got a cloth in the wind—the captain two or three.
4. cloth of estate, state: a cloth spread over a throne or other seat of dignity; a canopy; a baldachin.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > covers or hangings > [noun] > hangings > canopy > specific
heaveneOE
dia1377
penthouse1517
hoopsc1520
cloth of estate, state1523
baldachin1645
dais1863
1523 J. Skelton Goodly Garlande of Laurell 484 Under a glorious cloth of astate.
1540 Act 31 Hen. VIII c. 10 No person (except only the Kings children) shal at any time hereafter..presume, to sit or haue place at any side of the cloth of estate in the Parliament chamber.
1650 R. Stapleton tr. F. Strada De Bello Belgico x. 19 Whether the King would allow him place, as a Prince-Infanta, within the Cloth of State.
1778 T. Warton Hist. Eng. Poetry II. xvi. 405 He dined, both in the hall, and in his privy-chamber, under a cloth of estate.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > covers or hangings > [noun] > hangings > a hanging > types of
painted cloth1542
arrasa1616
1542 A. Borde Compend. Regyment Helth xxxvii. sig. N.iv The chamber..that the madde man is in, let there be no paynted clothes.
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 iv. ii. 26 Slaues as ragged as Lazarus in the painted cloth . View more context for this quotation
1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida v. xi. B14 Set this in your painted cloathes . View more context for this quotation
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues at Tapis As deafe as an Image in a painted cloth.
1654 R. Whitlock Ζωοτομία 171 That Alexander was a Souldier, painted cloths will confesse, the painter dareth not leave him out of the Nine Worthies.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > painting and drawing > equipment for painting or drawing > [noun] > surface for painting or drawing > canvas
toile?1578
cloth1695
canvas1705
bishop's lengthc1870
pata1948
1695 J. Dryden in tr. C. A. Du Fresnoy De Arte Graphica Pref. p. v This Idea, which we may call the Goddess of Painting and of Sculpture, descends upon the Marble and the Cloth, and becomes the Original of those Arts.
1765 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting (ed. 2) III. iv. 145 A portrait-painter,..his price was but five guineas for a ¾ cloth.
1825 W. Hone Every-day Bk. (1826) I. 1198 One of the front show-cloths [of a booth at a fair] represented one of the fights.
7. Theatre. The curtain n.1 which separates the auditorium from the stage. Also, a large piece of painted scenery, etc. (see quot. 1957). Cf. backcloth n. 2, cut cloth n. at cut adj. Compounds 1.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > theatrical equipment or accessories > [noun] > curtain
curtain1598
drop1781
iron curtain1794
green curtain1805
greeny1821
tableau curtain1830
drop-curtain1832
rag1848
hipping1858
cloth1881
safety curtain1881
asbestos curtain1890
olio1923
tab1929
sail curtain1941
iron1951
swag1959
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > theatrical equipment or accessories > [noun] > scenery > cloth
cloth1881
1881 P. Fitzgerald World behind Scenes 34 Under the old system, where a simple ‘cloth’ quietly glided down, this impression was not left.
1884 J. Hatton H. Irving's Impress. Amer. I. vii. 165 The effect of the well-known Hampton Court cloth was so perfect.
1884 J. Hatton H. Irving's Impress. Amer. II. xi. 265 We took..all the cloths for our entire répertoire, and many of the small practical set-pieces.
1886 Cornhill Mag. Oct. 435 They gazed awestruck at the backcloth and the flies.
1887 Pall Mall Gaz. 11 Jan. 2/2 We can take our ‘cloths’ right up, instead of having to roll them.
1909 Stage Year Book 1908 p. v. (advt.) The Only Theatre:—In main street—centre of town. That can stage big productions. That can fly cloths.
1957 Oxf. Compan. Theatre (ed. 2) 133/2 Cloth, a term used for any large unframed expanse of canvas or material used for scenery. A modern cloth is generally made of widths of canvas.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > textile fabric > textile fabric manufactured in specific way > [noun] > woven > specific quantity or length of
cloth1469
1469 in Coll. Ordinances Royal Househ. (1790) 105 For the Chamberlayne, hedde officers, knyghtes & ladyes..iii clothes; price the clothe viiil.
1483 Act 1 Rich. III c. 8 §4 Every hole wolen Cloth called brode Cloth..shall..hold and conteyn in leenght xxiiij yerdes..every half Cloth of the seid hole Cloth..holde and conteyne xij yerdis in leynght.
1538 in J. Strype Eccl. Memorials (1721) I. App. lxxxix. 248 I was wont to sel for most part every yere iiij or v hundred clothes to strangers..as yet..I have sold but xxij clothes.
a1618 W. Raleigh Remains (1661) 192 There hath been..transported..about 50000 cloaths, counting three Kersies to a cloath.
1641 W. Hakewill Libertie of Subj. 93 A sack of Wool did commonly make foure short clothes.
1660 T. Willsford Scales Commerce & Trade i. i. 10 Admit 15 Clothes or Pieces were sold for 340l.
1721 London Gaz. No. 6004/3 Two Tentors..the one for two Cloths, and the other for one Cloth and one half.
II. As a material: Without a in singular (except when meaning ‘a kind of cloth’, in which sense ‘cloths’ occurs in plural).
9.
a. A name given, in the most general sense, to every pliant fabric woven, felted, or otherwise formed, of any animal or vegetable (or even mineral) filament, as of wool, hair, silk, the fibres of hemp, flax, cotton, asbestos, spun glass, wire, etc. But when used without qualification or contextual specification, usually understood to mean a woollen fabric such as is used for wearing apparel. Here again, it is sometimes specifically applied to a plain-wove woollen fabric, as distinguished from a twill.To this most specific sense belong the terms broadcloth n. and narrow cloth n. at narrow adj. and n. Compounds 3, the ordinary black-cloth used for ‘dress’ clothes, clerical attire, etc., and the blue, scarlet, green, or other ‘cloth’, of uniforms and liveries. [Early quots. doubtful: c1000 is probably sense 1; c1175 may be sense 11.]
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > textile fabric > [noun]
workeOE
draperya1300
cloth1377
toilec1440
ware1442
stuff1604
drape1665
fabric1753
kain1783
good1831
material1848
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) ix. 16 Ne deþ witodlice nan man niwes claðes scyp on eald reaf.
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 53 Monie of þas wimmen..claþeð heom mid ȝeoluwe claþe þet is þes deofles helfter.]
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xv. 444 Cloth þat cometh fro þe weuyng is nouȝt comly to were, Tyl it is fulled, etc.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) l. 1742 Frokkes of fyn cloþ.
?1521 A. Barclay Bk. Codrus & Mynalcas sig. B Englande hath clothe, Burdeur hath store of wyne.
1552 Abp. J. Hamilton Catech. ii. ii. f. 87 Ane Tailȝeour can nocht mak ane garment, bot of clayth.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 694 He that could haue it neyther of Golde nor of Siluer, had it of silke or cloth.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry V (1623) ii. iv. 48 Like a Miser spoyle his Coat, with scanting A little Cloth . View more context for this quotation
1635 R. Sanderson Serm. I. 446 Cloath and leather.
1663 S. Pepys Diary 22 Sept. (1971) IV. 316 My present care is..a new black cloth suit and coat and cloak.
1705 London Gaz. No. 4095/2 Coarse Yorkshire-Cloth..proper for Cloathing Soldiers, and the poorer sort of People.
1833 H. Martineau Messrs. Vanderput & Snoek ii. 35 There would always be blue cloth in the market.
1856 R. W. Emerson Eng. Traits v. 103 A dye which is more lasting than the cloth.
1864 Derby Mercury 7 Dec. The outer shell of the coffin was of oak, covered with black cloth.
1891 N.E.D. at Cloth Mod. A cloth coat and Tweed trousers.
b. with qualification, or contextual specification.
ΚΠ
1480 W. Caxton Chron. Eng. ccxxv No clothe..wrought out of England as clothe of gold, of sylk, velvet or damaske.
1582 in J. C. Jeafreson Middlesex County Rec. (1886) I. 130 A piece of linen cloth called ‘a biggen’.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica 140 Paulus Venetus..affirms that in some parts of Tartarie, there were Mines of Iron whose filaments were weaved into incombustible cloth . View more context for this quotation
1677 A. Yarranton England's Improvem. 52 Three hundred weight of Flax..will make four hundred Ells of Cloth.
1712 J. Arbuthnot John Bull in his Senses iv. 17 A Surtout of oil'd Cloath.
1727 R. Bradley Chomel's Dictionaire Oeconomique (Dublin ed.) (at cited word) There are Woollen, Linnen, and other Cloths, which are made of Hemp, Flax, Cotton, Silk, Nettle, etc., there are likewise Cloths of Gold and Silver.
1765 Act 5 Geo. III (title) Laws relating to the manufacture of woollen cloth in the county of York.
1798 Jrnl. Nat. Philos. Dec. 412 (title) On the Art of covering Wire Cloth with a transparent Varnish, as a Substitute for Horn.
1833 H. Martineau Messrs. Vanderput & Snoek iv. 76 Sugar, coffee, and woollen cloths were disposed of.
1833 Penny Cycl. I. (title page) Price Seven Shillings and Sixpence, bound in cloth.
1866 J. Lindley & T. Moore Treasury Bot. I. 172 The natives..manufacture from this bark an exceedingly tough cloth.
1875 R. Hunt & F. W. Rudler Ure's Dict. Arts (ed. 7) I. 255 A prize for the improvement of asbestos cloth.
1875 R. Hunt & F. W. Rudler Ure's Dict. Arts (ed. 7) I. 421 The bookbinders cloth now so extensively used, is a cotton fabric.
1875 R. Hunt & F. W. Rudler Ure's Dict. Arts (ed. 7) III. 120 The manufacture of cloth from flaxen material.
c. In various phrasal combinations: cloth of gold, a tissue consisting of threads, wires or strips of gold, generally interwoven with silk or wool; also applied to gilded cloth; cloth of silver, a cloth similarly woven with silver.Also cloth of arras n., baudekin n. or bodkin, lake n.1, pleasance n.1, Raines n., tars n., etc.; and broadcloth n. and adj., care-cloth n., cerecloth n., haircloth n., oilcloth n., sackcloth n., etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > textile fabric > textile fabric manufactured in specific way > [noun] > interwoven with metallic thread
tissue?a1366
cypress14..
cloth of goldc1405
imperialc1435
gold webc1475
tinsel1523
cloth of silver1530
imperial clotha1553
tinsey1685
lama1818
lamé1922
kain songket1949
c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer Knight's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 1710 The lystes..Hanged with clooth of gold and noght wt sarge.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 206/1 Clothe of sylver, drap dargent.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 732 King Edward and foure other were appareled in cloth of Golde.
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Macc. v. 2 There were seene horsemen running in the aire, in cloth of golde. View more context for this quotation
1870 D. Rock Textile Fabrics (S. Kensington Mus.) Introd. p. xxiii Costly cloth-of-gold webs were wrought.
1879 R. Jefferies Wild Life 144 The cloth-of-gold thrown over it by the buttercups.
1881 Truth 19 May 686/1 The train..was covered with hand-wrought embroidery, the material being cloth of silver.
10. Phrases. to cut the coat according to the cloth: to adapt oneself to circumstances, keep within the limits of one's means (see cut v.). †the cloth is all of another hue: the case is totally different. †to bring to cloth: to accomplish, finish. to cut (etc.) out of (the) whole cloth: see whole cloth n. 2. And other proverbial expressions.
ΚΠ
c1430 Hymns Virg. (1867) 42 We ben bigilid alle wiþ oure lyst. Þe clooþ is al of anothir hew.
1546 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue i. viii. sig. C I shall Cut my cote after my cloth.
1546 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue ii. ix. sig. Kivv It is a bad cloth, that will take no colour.
1587 G. Turberville Tragicall Tales f. 80 The king..Began to love, who for he was a king, By little sute, this match to cloth did bring.
1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre iv. vi. 177 This rent (not in the seam but whole cloth) betwixt these Churches was no mean hindrance to the Holy warre.
1883 C. Reade Many a Slip in Harper's Mag. Dec. 134/2 We can all cut our coat according to our cloth.
III. As wearing apparel. [Old English had plural cláðas : see clothes n.] † 11. collective. Clothing, raiment, vesture, dress. (No plural.) Obsolete.† 12. A (single) garment, robe, coat (= German ein kleid, Dutch een kleed). Obsolete.† 13. The distinctive clothing worn by the servants or retainers of a master, or by members of the same profession; livery, uniform. Also figurative.Senses 13– 15 are also closely related to sense 9.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > [noun]
clothesc888
hattersOE
shroudc1000
weedOE
shrouda1122
clothc1175
hatteringa1200
atourc1220
back-clout?c1225
habit?c1225
clothingc1275
cleadinga1300
dubbinga1300
shroudinga1300
attirec1300
coverturec1300
suitc1325
apparel1330
buskingc1330
farec1330
harness1340
tire1340
backs1341
geara1350
apparelmentc1374
attiringa1375
vesturec1385
heelinga1387
vestmentc1386
arraya1400
graitha1400
livery1399
tirementa1400
warnementa1400
arrayment1400
parelc1400
werlec1400
raiment?a1425
robinga1450
rayc1450
implements1454
willokc1460
habiliment1470
emparelc1475
atourement1481
indumenta1513
reparel1521
wearing gear1542
revesture1548
claesc1550
case1559
attirement1566
furniture1566
investuring1566
apparelling1567
dud1567
hilback1573
wear1576
dress1586
enfolding1586
caparison1589
plight1590
address1592
ward-ware1598
garnish1600
investments1600
ditement1603
dressing1603
waith1603
thing1605
vestry1606
garb1608
outwall1608
accoutrementa1610
wearing apparel1617
coutrement1621
vestament1632
vestiment1637
equipage1645
cask1646
aguise1647
back-timbera1656
investiture1660
rigging1664
drapery1686
vest1694
plumage1707
bussingc1712
hull1718
paraphernalia1736
togs1779
body clothing1802
slough1808
toggery1812
traps1813
garniture1827
body-clothes1828
garmenture1832
costume1838
fig1839
outfit1840
vestiture1841
outer womana1845
outward man1846
vestiary1846
rag1855
drag1870
clo'1874
parapherna1876
clobber1879
threads1926
mocker1939
schmatte1959
vine1959
kit1989
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 37 Gif he ne mei don elmesse of claðe ne of mete.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 3208 Hiss claþ wass off ollfenntess hær.
a1250 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Nero) (1952) 85 Uor ȝe ne þencheð nowiht of mete ne of cloð.
c1380 Eng. Wycliffite Serm. in Sel. Wks. I. 37 Siþ lyf is more þan mete and mannis bodi more þan cloiþ.
c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 303 A bischop schulde not haue more than mete and drinke, hous and clooth.
?1521 A. Barclay Bk. Codrus & Mynalcas sig. Biij I aske..onely clothe and fode.
1533 J. Gau tr. C. Pedersen Richt Vay sig. Bivv Meit and claith and oder neidful thingis.
1563 2nd Tome Homelyes Rogat. Week iii, in J. Griffiths Two Bks. Homilies (1859) ii. 492 He [God] shall be bread and drink, cloth, physicians, comfort; he shall be all things to us.
1574 in J. Raine Wills & Inventories N. Counties Eng. (1835) I. 403 The said Mighall shall fynde my syster Elsabethe mete drynk and clothe.
c1620 Convert Soule in E. Farr Sel. Poetry Reign James I (1848) 90 My food and cloth are most divine.
1816 W. Scott Antiquary I. xi. 254 Gentle folks..hae..fire and fending, and meat and claith.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > [noun] > garment or article of
raileOE
i-wedeOE
reafOE
shroudc1000
weedOE
back-cloth?c1225
hatter?c1225
clouta1300
coverturec1300
garment1340
vesturec1384
clothc1385
vestmentc1386
jeryne?a1400
clothinga1425
gilla1438
raiment1440
haterella1450
vestimenta1500
indumenta1513
paitclaith1550
casceis1578
attire1587
amice1600
implements1601
cladment1647
enduement1650
vest1655
body garment1688
wearable1711
sledo1719
rag1855
number1894
opaque1903
daytimer1936
c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Dido. 1328 A cloth he lafte..Whan he from Dido stal.
1388 J. Wyclif Psalms ci. 27 [cii. 26] Alle schulen wexe eelde as a clooth [1382 clothing, L. vestimentum].
1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. xi. 193 The catel þat crist hadde þre cloþes hit were.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 16201 A purprin clath [Gött. cleth] þai on him kest, And gain to pilate broght.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 4217 Of him [sc. Joseph] has beistes made þair prai; þis es his clath, þat es well sene.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > [noun] > for specific people > for members of a body or association > livery
livery1389
clothing1418
liverer1548
cloth1598
1598 J. Florio Worlde of Wordes The retainer..to weare your Honors cloth.
1606 Bp. J. Hall Medit. & Vowes III. §21 Many weare Gods cloth, that knowe not their Master, that neuer did good chare in his seruice.
1617 N. Assheton Jrnl. (1848) 8 To weore his clothe and attend him..at ye Kings comming.
1740 Life Mrs Davies in Defoe's Wks. (1840) 265 I told him the action..made him unworthy of the king's cloth.
1823 C. Lamb Praise of Chimney-sweepers in Elia 249 I reverence..these almost clergy imps, [little sweeps] who sport their cloth without assumption.
14.
a. Hence: One's profession (as marked by a professional garb); cf. coat n.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > [noun] > regular occupation, trade, or profession
workeOE
mysteryc1390
facultyc1405
business1477
industrya1500
roomc1500
trade1525
pursuit1529
function1533
calling1539
profession?1552
vocation1553
entertainment1568
station1574
qualitya1586
employment1598
way of lifea1616
state1625
cloth1656
avocation1660
setworka1661
employ1669
estate1685
walk of life?1746
walk1836
1656 R. Sanderson 20 Serm. 383 Objecting to you [sc. the Magistracy] your place, to us [sc. the Ministry] our cloath (A man of his place, a man of his Cloath, to do thus or thus!) As if any Christian man, of what place, or of what cloath soever, had the liberty to do otherwise then well.
1716 J. Addison Drummer iii. vi Gentlemen of our cloth [menservants].
1857 E. Parry Mem. Sir W. E. Parry (1859) 67 A man of our cloth [a naval officer].
b. esp. applied to the profession of a clergyman or minister of religion.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > church government > member of the clergy > [noun] > collective
clergyc1275
clerkshipc1275
churchc1400
spiritualtya1402
spiritualc1410
spritualitya1450
spirituality1525
spiritalty1534
ministry1566
cloth1656
crape1682
clericalty1860
1656 [see sense 14a].
1705 Acct. of Conf. between Duke of Buckingham & Father Fitzgerald in Duke of Buckingham Misc. Wks. II. 57 Neither you, nor any of your Cloth will ever gain that point upon me.
?1706 E. Hickeringill Priest-craft: 2nd Pt. viii. 80 My Affection to the Black-Coats of mine own Cloth.
1772 H. Mackenzie Man of World (1823) i. viii. 428 Annesly's cloth protected him from this last inconvenience.
1787 ‘G. Gambado’ Acad. Horsemen To Rdr. p. xv (note) An honour to his Cloth—is applied to many a drunken Parson; and I do not see why.
1834 F. Marryat Peter Simple I. i. 5 Like all orthodox divines, he was tenacious of the only sensual enjoyment permitted to his cloth.
1869 F. Parkman Discov. Great West x. 128 Out of respect for his cloth.
15.
a. the cloth (colloquial): the clerical profession; the clergy; the office of a clergyman.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > church government > member of the clergy > [noun] > office of
clergyc1440
clerkhoodc1449
clerkship?1488
ministration1550
ministry1560
clergyship1620
clericality1660
cassock1687
churchmanship1690
the cloth1709
clericature1725
clericate1869
1709 J. Swift Mrs. Harris's Petition in Baucis & Philemon (new ed.) 13 You know, I honour the Cloth, I design to be a Parson's Wife.
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield II. xii. 208 What did I do but went and got..a true priest, and married them both as fast as the cloth could make them.
1848 W. M. Thackeray Bk. Snobs xi. 43 Snobs-Clerical suggests themselves quite naturally, and..with every respect for the cloth [etc.].
1866 G. MacDonald Ann. Quiet Neighb. (1878) xiii. 272 That execrable word cloth—used for the office of a clergyman.
b. used of other professions.
ΚΠ
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones III. ix. vi. 358 I did not mean to abuse the Cloth [sc. the military profession] . View more context for this quotation
1837 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers xlii. 464 I maintain that that 'ere song's personal to the cloth..I demand the name o' that coachman.
16. transferred. Covering, skin, ‘coating, coat’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > coating or covering with a layer > [noun] > a coat or covering layer
rindOE
cloth1398
tayc1440
skina1475
coat1567
slough1610
hulling1708
surtout1732
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) v. xlii. 159 The guttes ben clothed in tweyne full subtyl clothes..and that is nedfull for yf the one were greuyd the other clothe maye helpe.
1666 S. Pepys Diary 2 Nov. (1972) VII. 352 I also, did buy some apples and pork; by the same token, the Bucher commended it as the best in England for Cloath and Colour.
Compounds
C1. attributive or as adj. Made of cloth, of or pertaining to cloth; connected with cloth and its manufacture. (Formerly often hyphenated.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > textile fabric > [adjective]
clothen1570
cloth1592
clothy1776
1592 R. Greene Quip for Vpstart Courtier sig. B3v They were a plaine payre of Cloth breeches.
1631 J. Weever Anc. Funerall Monuments 51 A cloth-cloake was lighter for summer.
1773 Gentleman's Mag. 43 514 Serges, frizes, druggets, cloth-serges, shalloons, or any other drapery stuffs.
1831 G. R. Porter Treat. Silk Manuf. 224 The woven cloth..wound on the cloth roll.
1843 Penny Cycl. XXVII. 552/2 This..process in the cloth manufacture.
1862 H. Spencer First Princ. ii. iii. §56. 202 The growth of the Yorkshire cloth-districts at the expense of those in the West of England.
1864 Times 6 Nov. Black cloth clothes that are too far gone..are always sent abroad to be cut up to make caps.
1882 S. W. Beck Draper's Dict. (at cited word) This fair came to be a great cloth market, and the place in which it was held is still known as Cloth Fair.
1888 A. J. Balfour in Times 2 Oct. 10/5 If you think that the cloth coat ought to be treated differently from the frieze coat.
C2.
a. Attributive (and object genit.).
(a)
cloth-cutter n.
ΚΠ
1875 R. Hunt & F. W. Rudler Ure's Dict. Arts (ed. 7) I. 421 The cloth-cutter..cuts up the corresponding numbers of covers of the dimensions proper for the book.
cloth-factor n.
ΚΠ
1853 W. M. Thackeray Newcomes (1854) I. ii. 13 He was taken into the house of Hobson Brothers, cloth-factors.
cloth-mercer n.
ΚΠ
1875 W. S. Hayward Love against World 9 Your worthy ancestor, the cloth-mercer of Cheapside.
cloth-press n.
cloth-presser n.
cloth-stretcher n.
cloth-teaseler n.
cloth-web n.
ΚΠ
1833 T. Carlyle Sartor Resartus i. x, in Fraser's Mag. Dec. 680/1 Shall we tremble before clothwebs and cobwebs?
(b)
cloth-cropping n.
cloth-cutting n.
cloth-drying n.
cloth-folding n.
cloth-smoothing n.
b. instrumental, as cloth-covered, cloth-cut, cloth-faced, cloth-sided adjs.
ΚΠ
1773 Gentleman's Mag. 43 399 The cloth-cut velvet.
1839 T. Carlyle Chartism viii. 87 The Saxon kindred burst forth into cotton-spinning, cloth-cropping.
1851 H. Melville Moby-Dick viii. 42 The perpendicular parts of this side ladder..were of cloth-covered rope.
1884 T. C. Hepworth Amateur Photographer 58 The cloth-faced back is then inserted.
1925 G. H. L. Mallory in E. F. Norton et al. Fight for Everest: 1924 233 My cloth-sided shoes.
C3. Special combinations. Also cloth-maker n., clothesack n., cloth-worker n., cloth-yard n. † cloth-colour n. Obsolete see quots. (it has been conjectured to be drab or self-colour).† cloth-drawer n. Obsolete a workman who ‘draws’ or tenters the woollen cloth.† cloth-driver n. Obsolete ? one who combs or teasels cloth.† cloth-man n. Obsolete a maker or seller of woollen cloth; a clothier. † cloth-mulberry n. Obsolete the Paper Mulberry Broussonetia papyrifera, of the bark of which the South Sea Islanders make clothing. † cloth-rash n. Obsolete a kind of rash n.2 made of wool. † cloth-stone n. Obsolete asbestos. † cloth-thicker n. Obsolete name given to a fuller.† cloth-tree n. Obsolete = cloth-mulberry n.† cloth-walk v. Obsolete to full cloth, cf. German walken.† cloth-writt n. Obsolete ? = cloth-wright, cloth-worker.
Categories »
cloth-binding n. book-binding in cotton cloth, embossed silk, etc., as distinct from binding in leather.
cloth-board n. (see board n. 4).
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > book > parts of book > [noun] > cover > boards
pasteboard1511
board1533
cloth-board1832
end-boardc1860
1832 Athenæum No. 241. 375 Published in a neat pocket volume, cloth boards.
1845 Penny Cycl. Suppl. I. 220/1 Most persons who purchase books are aware that, if in ‘boards’ or ‘cloth-boards’, the top edges of the sheets, although placed level, are uncut.
1846 G. Dodd Brit. Manuf. 6th Ser. 93 If a book is put into ‘cloth boards’.
1888 C. T. Jacobi Printers' Vocab. 23 Books when bound in cloth cases are described as being in ‘cloth boards’.
cloth-bound adj. (see bound adj.2 8).
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > book > manufacture or production of books > book-binding > type of binding > [adjective]
full-bound1705
super-extra1774
half-bound1775
Etruscan1792
antique1794
Russia-bound1808
vellum-bound1836
vellum-covered1836
quarter-bound1842
cloth-bound1860
limp1863
cottage1874
monastic1880
parchment-bound1881
yapped1882
all along1888
Grolieresque1889
Maioli1890
perfect1890
treed calf1892
Lyonnais1893
hardback1894
dos-à-dos1952
perfect bound1960
spiral-bound1961
spiral1977
1860 Leisure Hour 16 Aug. 526/1 This mode of sewing books on tapes has of late years been adopted by the best London binders for cloth-bound volumes.
1870 Gentleman's Mag. Oct. 642 A cloth-bound, well-printed volume of 170 pages.
1904 Westm. Gaz. 15 July 12/2 The published price..will be ..is. net cloth-bound.
1968 W. Dawson Catal. 79 Physical Society: Proceedings..Vols. 1–3, 11 cloth bound.
cloth cap n. a cap made of cloth; also attributive, esp. in sense ‘of or pertaining to the working class’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > headgear > [noun] > cap > types of > made from specific material > cloth
cloth cap1851
duncher1914
society > society and the community > social class > the common people > specific classes of common people > [adjective] > working-class
laborious1534
mechanicc1550
mechanical1584
aproned1628
working class1833
proletarian1848
lower working class1878
proletary1884
cloth-capped1935
prole1938
cloth cap1959
Coronation Street1962
proly1971
1851 H. Mayhew London Labour I. 369/1 The..black suits..are to be cut up and made into new cloth caps for young gentlemen.
1903 Daily Chron. 9 Dec. 9/7 (advt.) Woman (Young) wanted for cloth cap cutting.
1959 Manch. Guardian 24 July 6/6 In the..scheme..expressly designed to appeal to the ‘cloth-cap investor’, the salaried staff have bought more shares than the payroll workers.
cloth-capped adj.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social class > the common people > specific classes of common people > [adjective] > working-class
laborious1534
mechanicc1550
mechanical1584
aproned1628
working class1833
proletarian1848
lower working class1878
proletary1884
cloth-capped1935
prole1938
cloth cap1959
Coronation Street1962
proly1971
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > wearing clothing > [adjective] > wearing headgear > wearing a cap > types of
cauled1393
coifed1520
biggined1607
night-capped1607
blue-bonneted1648
black-capped1658
red-capped1663
thrum-capped1708
white-capped1751
fool's-capped1849
calpacked1852
mob-capped1854
pileated1856
bearskinned1857
fezzed1864
tam-o'-shantered1894
cloth-capped1935
1935 Times Lit. Suppl. 14 Dec. 857/4 The cloth-capped artisans.
1967 ‘G. North’ Sgt. Cluff & Day of Reckoning ii. 18 A small, cloth-capped man guiding a battery-propelled litter-cart.
ΚΠ
1681 London Gaz. No. 1668/4 The one a middle siz'd man..in an old Cloth-colour riding Coat.
1683 London Gaz. No. 1866/8 A parcel of Silk, Dyed into Cloth-colours.
1704 London Gaz. No. 4059/4 Lost..a Bundle of Cloth-colours and black Sowing Silk.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > treating or processing textile fabric > [noun] > stretching > one who
setter?1518
cloth-drawer1685
1685 London Gaz. No. 2059/4 Mr. Wall Cloath-Drawer in Creechurch-Lane.
1720 London Gaz. No. 5827/4 William Graves..Cloath-Drawer.
cloth-dresser n. a workman who dresses, i.e. teasels and shears woollen cloth.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > treating or processing textile fabric > [noun] > teaselling and shearing > one who
cloth-dresser1723
1723 London Gaz. No. 6221/3 Paul Greenwood..Cloathdresser.
cloth-dressing n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > treating or processing textile fabric > [noun] > teaselling and shearing
cloth-dressing1652
1652 M. Nedham tr. J. Selden Of Dominion of Sea 173 I have labored, saith Grotius..for the preservation of Clothdressing in our Countrie.
1891 N.E.D. at Cloth Mod. Newsp., One wishful to know the state of trade with any cloth~dressing firm, asks how many ‘gigs’ they run.
ΚΠ
1501 Nottingham Corp. Archives No. 10 e, ro. 1 James Gelderd, clothdryver.
cloth ears n. colloquial (a person with) a poor sense of hearing.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > type or quality of hearing > [noun] > person having poor
cloth ears1912
1912 C. Mackenzie Carnival v. 49 I wish you'd listen. Have you got cloth ears?
1965 New Statesman 14 May 777/1 I've told you once, cloth-ears.
cloth-eared adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > type or quality of hearing > [adjective] > poor hearing
thick listed1579
cloth-eared1965
1965 G. Melly Owning-up xl. 127 It was more difficult for a band on the road to know what was going on than for the most cloth-eared member of provincial jazz club.
cloth-hall n. a hall, or exchange, where sellers and buyers of woollen cloths meet at stated times to transact business.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > trading place > a centre of commerce > [noun] > place where merchants meet > for specific goods
Coal Exchange1755
piece hall1776
Corn-Exchange1794
cloth-hall1836
1836 Encycl. Brit. at Leeds The Leeds cloth-halls..are two, one for the sale of coloured cloths, and one for white cloths only.
1843 Penny Cycl. XXVII. 550/2 Blackwell Hall, a kind of Cloth Hall whence London dealers and merchants were supplied.
cloth-head n. colloquial a thick-head; cf. clot-head n. at clot n. Compounds.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > stupid, foolish, or inadequate person > stupid person, dolt, blockhead > [noun]
asseOE
sotc1000
beastc1225
long-ear?a1300
stock1303
buzzard1377
mis-feelinga1382
dasarta1400
stonea1400
dasiberd14..
dottlec1400
doddypoll1401
dastardc1440
dotterel1440
dullardc1440
wantwit1449
jobardc1475
nollc1475
assheada1500
mulea1500
dull-pate15..
peak1509
dulbert?a1513
doddy-patec1525
noddypolla1529
hammer-head1532
dull-head?1534
capon1542
dolt1543
blockhead1549
cod's head1549
mome1550
grout-head1551
gander1553
skit-brains?1553
blocka1556
calfa1556
tomfool1565
dunce1567
druggard1569
cobble1570
dummel1570
Essex calf1573
jolthead1573
hardhead1576
beetle-head1577
dor-head1577
groutnoll1578
grosshead1580
thickskin1582
noddyship?1589
jobbernowl1592
beetle-brain1593
Dorbel1593
oatmeal-groat1594
loggerhead1595
block-pate1598
cittern-head1598
noddypoop1598
dorbellist1599
numps1599
dor1601
stump1602
ram-head1605
look-like-a-goose1606
ruff1606
clod1607
turf1607
asinego1609
clot-poll1609
doddiea1611
druggle1611
duncecomb1612
ox-head1613
clod-polla1616
dulman1615
jolterhead1620
bullhead1624
dunderwhelpa1625
dunderhead1630
macaroona1631
clod-patea1635
clota1637
dildo1638
clot-pate1640
stupid1640
clod-head1644
stub1644
simpletonian1652
bottle-head1654
Bœotiana1657
vappe1657
lackwit1668
cudden1673
plant-animal1673
dolt-head1679
cabbage head1682
put1688
a piece of wood1691
ouphe1694
dunderpate1697
numbskull1697
leather-head1699
nocky1699
Tom Cony1699
mopus1700
bluff-head1703
clod skull1707
dunny1709
dowf1722
stupe1722
gamphrel1729
gobbin?1746
duncehead1749
half-wit1755
thick-skull1755
jackass1756
woollen-head1756
numbhead1757
beef-head1775
granny1776
stupid-head1792
stunpolla1794
timber-head1794
wether heada1796
dummy1796
noghead1800
staumrel1802
muttonhead1803
num1807
dummkopf1809
tumphya1813
cod's head and shoulders1820
stoopid1823
thick-head1824
gype1825
stob1825
stookiea1828
woodenhead1831
ning-nong1832
log-head1834
fat-head1835
dunderheadism1836
turnip1837
mudhead1838
donkey1840
stupex1843
cabbage1844
morepork1845
lubber-head1847
slowpoke1847
stupiditarian1850
pudding-head1851
cod's head and shoulders1852
putty head1853
moke1855
mullet-head1855
pothead1855
mug1857
thick1857
boodle1862
meathead1863
missing link1863
half-baked1866
lunk1867
turnip-head1869
rummy1872
pumpkin-head1876
tattie1879
chump1883
dully1883
cretin1884
lunkhead1884
mopstick1886
dumbhead1887
peanut head1891
pie-face1891
doughbakea1895
butt-head1896
pinhead1896
cheesehead1900
nyamps1900
box head1902
bonehead1903
chickenhead1903
thickwit1904
cluck1906
boob1907
John1908
mooch1910
nitwit1910
dikkop1913
goop1914
goofus1916
rumdum1916
bone dome1917
moron1917
oik1917
jabroni1919
dumb-bell1920
knob1920
goon1921
dimwit1922
ivory dome1923
stone jug1923
dingleberry1924
gimp1924
bird brain1926
jughead1926
cloth-head1927
dumb1928
gazook1928
mouldwarp1928
ding-dong1929
stupido1929
mook1930
sparrow-brain1930
knobhead1931
dip1932
drip1932
epsilon1932
bohunkus1933
Nimrod1933
dumbass1934
zombie1936
pea-brain1938
knot-head1940
schlump1941
jarhead1942
Joe Soap1943
knuckle-head1944
nong1944
lame-brain1945
gobshite1946
rock-head1947
potato head1948
jerko1949
turkey1951
momo1953
poop-head1955
a right one1958
bam1959
nong-nong1959
dickhead1960
dumbo1960
Herbert1960
lamer1961
bampot1962
dipshit1963
bamstick1965
doofus1965
dick1966
pillock1967
zipperhead1967
dipstick1968
thickie1968
poephol1969
yo-yo1970
doof1971
cockhead1972
nully1973
thicko1976
wazzock1976
motorhead1979
mouth-breather1979
no-brainer1979
jerkwad1980
woodentop1981
dickwad1983
dough ball1983
dickweed1984
bawheid1985
numpty1985
jerkweed1988
dick-sucker1989
knob-end1989
Muppet1989
dingus1997
dicksack1999
eight ball-
1927 P. G. Wodehouse Meet Mr. Mulliner iii. 76 You've forgotten it again, you old cloth-head!
1958 M. Kelly Christmas Egg i. 40 There was occasion only to abuse himself as a triple cloth-head.
cloth-headed adj. thick-headed.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > stupidity, dullness of intellect > [adjective]
sloweOE
stuntc960
dullOE
hardOE
stuntlyc1000
sotc1050
dillc1175
dulta1225
simplea1325
heavy1340
astonedc1374
sheepishc1380
dull-witteda1387
lourd1390
steerishc1411
ass-likea1425
brainless?a1439
deafc1440
sluggishc1450
short-witted1477
obtuse1509
peakish1519
wearish1519
deaf, or dumb as a beetle1520
doileda1522
gross1526
headlessa1530
stulty1532
ass-headed1533
pot-headed1533
stupid?1541
sheep's head1542
doltish1543
dumpish1545
assish1548
blockish1548
slow-witted1548
blockheaded1549
surd1551
dull-headed1552
hammer-headed1552
skit-brained?1553
buzzardly1561
witless1562
log-headeda1566
assy1566
sottish1566
dastardly1567
stupidious1567
beetle-headed1570
calvish1570
bluntish1578
cod's-headed1578
grout-headed1578
bedaft1579
dull-pated1580
blate1581
buzzard-like1581
long-eared1582
dullard1583
woodena1586
duncical1588
leaden-headed1589
buzzard1592
dorbellical1592
dunstical1592
heavy-headeda1593
shallow-brained1592
blunt-witted1594
mossy1597
Bœotian1598
clay-brained1598
fat1598
fat-witted1598
knotty-pated1598
stupidous1598
wit-lost1599
barren1600
duncifiedc1600
lourdish1600
stockish1600
thick1600
booby1603
leaden-pated1603
partless1603
thin-headed1603
leaden-skulledc1604
blockhead1606
frost-brained1606
ram-headed1608
beef-witted1609
insulse1609
leaden-spirited1609
asininec1610
clumse1611
blockheadly1612
wattle-headed1613
flata1616
logger-headeda1616
puppy-headeda1616
shallow-patedc1616
thick-brained1619
half-headed1621
buzzard-blinda1625
beef-brained1628
toom-headed1629
thick-witted1634
woollen-witted1635
squirrel-headed1637
clod-pated1639
lean-souled1639
muddy-headed1642
leaden-witteda1645
as sad as any mallet1645
under-headed1646
fat-headed1647
half-witted1647
insipid1651
insulsate1652
soft-headed1653
thick-skulleda1657
muddish1658
non-intelligent1659
whey-brained1660
sap-headed1665
timber-headed1666
leather-headeda1668
out of (one's) tree1669
boobily1673
thoughtless1673
lourdly1674
logger1675
unintelligenta1676
Bœotic1678
chicken-brained1678
under-witted1683
loggerhead1684
dunderheaded1692
unintelligible1694
buffle-headed1697
crassicc1700
numbskulled1707
crassous1708
doddy-polled1708
haggis-headed1715
niddy-noddy1722
muzzy1723
pudding-headed1726
sumphish1728
pitcher-souleda1739
duncey1743
hebete1743
chuckheaded1756
dumb1756
duncely1757
imbecile1766
mutton-headed1768
chuckle-headed1770
jobbernowl1770
dowfarta1774
boobyish1778
wittol1780
staumrel1787
opaquec1789
stoopid1791
mud-headed1793
borné1795
muzzy-headed1798
nog-headed1800
thick-headed1801
gypit1804
duncish1805
lightweight1809
numbskull1814
tup-headed1816
chuckle-pate1820
unintellectuala1821
dense1822
ninnyish1822
dunch1825
fozy1825
potato-headed1826
beef-headed1828
donkeyish1831
blockheadish1833
pinheaded1837
squirrel-minded1837
pumpkin-headed1838
tomfoolish1838
dundering1840
chicken-headed1842
like a bump on a log1842
ninny-minded1849
numbheadeda1852
nincompoopish1852
suet-brained1852
dolly1853
mullet-headed1853
sodden1853
fiddle-headed1854
numb1854
bovine1855
logy1859
crass1861
unsmart1861
off his chump1864
wooden-headed1865
stupe1866
lean-minded1867
duffing1869
cretinous1871
doddering1871
thick-head1873
doddling1874
stupido1879
boneheaded1883
woolly-headed1883
leaden-natured1889
suet-headed1890
sam-sodden1891
dopey1896
turnip-headed1898
bonehead1903
wool-witted1905
peanut-headed1906
peanut-brained1907
dilly1909
torpid-minded1909
retardate1912
nitwitted1917
meat-headed1918
mug1922
cloth-headed1925
loopy1925
nitwit1928
lame-brained1929
dead from the neck up1930
simpy1932
nail-headed1936
square-headed1936
dingbats1937
pinhead1939
dim-witted1940
pea-brained1942
clueless1943
lobotomized1943
retarded1949
pointy-headed1950
clottish1952
like a stunned mullet1953
silly (or crazy) as a two-bob watch1954
out to lunch1955
pin-brained1958
dozy1959
eejity1964
out of one's tiny mind1965
doofus1967
twitty1967
twittish1969
twatty1975
twattish1976
blur1977
dof1979
goofus1981
dickheaded1991
dickish1991
numpty1992
cockish1996
1925 P. G. Wodehouse Sam the Sudden xxvii. 233 Selling fictitious oil stock to members of the public who were one degree more cloth-headed than himself.
1970 M. Kenyon 100,000 Welcomes xvi. 129 Those cloth-headed detectives had advised that he..say and do nothing.
cloth-laying n. the laying of a cloth for dinner, etc.
ΚΠ
1596 Bp. W. Barlow tr. L. Lavater Three Christian Serm. iii. 119 If thou wilt not bid them home (because cloth-laying is costly) yet send them some sustenance.
cloth-looker n. one who examines cloth in order to detect faults arising in manufacture.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > treating or processing textile fabric > [noun] > examining cloth for faults > one who
betracker1578
cloth-looker?1881
percher1882
?1881 Census Eng. & Wales: Instr. Clerks classifying Occupations & Ages (?1885) 68 Cloth Looker.
1927 Sunday Express 12 June 3 The clothlooker..usually reports any faults he may find.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > [noun] > manufacture of fabric from specific materials > manufacture of wool or woollen based fabrics > one who
clothier1362
cloth-maker1382
Welsh drapera1525
cloth-worker1528
cloth-man1538
society > trade and finance > trader > traders or dealers in specific articles > [noun] > in textiles, clothing, or yarns
mercerc1230
clothier1362
draper1362
woolman1390
yarn-chopper1429
line-draper1436
Welsh drapera1525
telerc1540
purple-seller1547
linen-draper1549
staplera1552
silkman1553
woollen-draper1554
wool-driver1555
woolster1577
linener1616
woolner1619
linen-man1631
ragman1649
rag merchant1665
slop-seller1665
bodice-seller1672
piece-broker1697
wool-stapler1709
cloth-man1723
Manchester-man1755
fleece-merchanta1774
rag dealer1777
man's mercer1789
keelman1821
man-mercer1837
cotton-broker1849
slopper1854
shoddyite1865
costumier1886
cotton-man1906
1538 in J. Strype Eccl. Memorials (1721) I. App. lxxxix. 248 There is divers clothemen, the which I buy al their clothes that they make.
1723 London Gaz. No. 6193/4 Powell Croft..Cloth-man.
cloth-market n. (a) a market for cloth, (b) humorous for ‘bed’.
ΚΠ
1738 J. Swift Compl. Coll. Genteel Conversat. 5 Miss, your Slave: I hope your early Rising will do you no Harm. I hear you are but just come out of the Cloth-market.
cloth-measure n. the lineal measure used for cloth, in which the yard is divided into quarters and nails (sixteenths).
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > plants used in paper, glass, or pottery manufacture > [noun] > paper-plant or -tree > paper mulberry
paper mulberry1769
cloth-tree1777
cloth-mulberry1784
1784 J. Douglas Cook's Voy. Pacific II. iii. xi. 204 The cloth-mulberry was planted, in regular rows.
cloth-paper n. a coarse paper used to lay between the folds in pressing and finishing woollen cloths.
cloth-prover n. a magnifying-glass used to count the threads in a piece of cloth.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > textile fabric > textile fabric made from specific material > made from wool > [noun] > made from specific types of wool > worsted > types of
stamin?c1225
worsted1348
monk's cloth1441
set cloth1467
vesse1483
St. Thomas worsted1518
St. Omer's worsted1530
caddis1558
cloth-rash1592
Philip and Cheyney1614
none-so-pretty1622
tammy1675
cheyneyc1680
crape1682
bunting1742
beaudoy1759
wildbore1784
Princetta?1790
Circassian1824
plain-back1830
Coburg1844
Tournai1858
Tricotine1914
1592 R. Greene Quip for Vpstart Courtier sig. D A cloke of cloth rash.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Demi drap, Cloth-rash.
1714 tr. French Bk. of Rates 366 Cloth-Rash and Tamine common.
cloth-shearer n. a cloth-worker, who shears off the superfluous nap on woollen cloth after teaseling; a machine for doing this.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > treating or processing textile fabric > [noun] > shearing > one who
shearmanc1275
shearer1473
cloth-shearer?c1530
cropper1711
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > treating or processing textile fabric > [noun] > shearing > machine
cloth-shearer?c1530
perpetual1879
jerry1883
?c1530 in J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. II. 109 A poor man, and by occupation a cloth~shearer.
1742 P. H. Zollman tr. in Philos. Trans. 1739–40 (Royal Soc.) 41 306 A Cloth-shearer in Holland.
cloth-shearing n.
cloth-tenter n. (see tenter n.1 1).
ΚΠ
1849 C. Brontë Shirley I. ii. 36 To add to his possessions..space for his cloth-tenters.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > treating or processing textile fabric > [noun] > fulling > one who
waulkereOE
fullerOE
waulkster1355
tucker1388
cloth-thicker?1518
thicker1520
waulk miller1753
plash-miller1822
?1518 Cocke Lorelles Bote sig. B.vv Clothe thyckers Called fullers.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > plants used in paper, glass, or pottery manufacture > [noun] > paper-plant or -tree > paper mulberry
paper mulberry1769
cloth-tree1777
cloth-mulberry1784
1777 G. Forster Voy. round World I. 352 Groves of coco, bread-fruit, apple, and cloth-trees.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > treating or processing textile fabric > treat or process textile fabric [verb (transitive)] > full
full1383
cloth-walk1467
thick1482
mill1552
1467 Ord. Worcester in Eng. Gilds (1870) 383 To dye, carde, or spynne, weve, or cloth-walke.
ΚΠ
1597 1st Pt. Returne fr. Parnassus ii. i. 535 It was the same scipjacke that when I knockt at the dore asked what clothwritt was there [Draper speaks].
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
clothv.
/klɒθ/, /klɔːθ/, U.S. /klɔθ/, /klɑθ/ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > [verb (transitive)]
cloth1582
1582 in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations (1599) II. i. 161 Spaine nowe aboundeth with Wools, and the same are Clothed. Turkie hath Wools..and cloth is made..in diuers places.
1582 in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations (1599) II. i. 164 It were the greatest madnesse..to vent our wooll not clothed.
1641 W. Hakewill Libertie of Subj. 93 Wool made into cloth..Wool not cloathed.
2. To cover or line with cloth.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > cover [verb (transitive)] > with cloth or textile
clothec1369
pallc1440
clout1579
drapery1824
cloth1844
drape1847
bedrape1865
1844 J. H. Stocqueler Hand-bk. India 163 A Broadwood or Zeitte,..clamped and fastened and clothed, to suit the climate of the tropics.
3. See also clothe v.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.a800
v.1582