chaise longue
/ˌʃeɪz ˈlɒŋɡ
/(North American also chaise lounge) Usage
noun (plural chaises longues pronounced same)
A sofa with a backrest at only one end.The Lady of Shalott and Babar the Elephant looked down side by side from one wall; ermine drapes clashed with mauve wallpaper; a turquoise chaise longue abutted a burgundy sofa....
- Other than the bed and the chaise longue, the only other significant piece of furniture was a dresser with a mirror, but the room overflowed with rich tapestries and carpets.
- Overhead, a landing with wooden floor extends the length of the house and could easily hold a chaise longue or set of bookcases.
Usage
The unfamiliar-looking spelling of chaise longue (‘long chair’ in French) has led many people to interpret it as the more English chaise lounge. This is regarded as an error in British English but is a common and accepted variant in US English.
Origin
Early 19th century: French, literally 'long chair'.
Rhymes
- railroad euchre
- railroad fever
- railroad guide
- railroad hat
- railroadiana
- railroad king
- railroad pace
- railroad service
- railroad speed
- railroad spike
- railroad switch
- railroad tie
- railroad time
- railroad track
- railroad trestle
- railroad worm
- rail sickness
- rail-splitter
- rails run
- rail station
- rail timber
- Railtrack
- rail train
- rail tree
- rail turn