bathrobe
Meaning
a loose piece of clothing, usually made of towelling, worn before or after a bath or swim.
Structure
Usage
she wrapped herself in a warm bathrobe after stepping out of the shower.
he packed his swimsuit and a light bathrobe for the hotel pool.
the soft, cotton bathrobe hung on a hook behind the bathroom door.
Etymology
the word 'bathrobe' is a modern english compound, formed by combining two old english and old french elements. 'bath' originates from the proto-germanic 'baþą', related to the act of washing, while 'robe' descends from the germanic 'raubō', via old french, originally denoting booty or a stolen garment, which evolved to mean a long, loose gown. the compound logically describes a robe specifically designed for use around the time of bathing, reflecting its functional purpose. this transparent formation showcases english's tendency to create precise, descriptive terms from existing lexical stock.
Analysis
- bath: from old english 'bæð', meaning the act of washing the body in water. functional role: indicates the context or purpose of the garment. - robe: from old french 'robe', meaning a long, loose outer garment. functional role: indicates the type of clothing.