mackintosh
UK[ˈmækɪntɒʃ]US[ˈmækɪntɑːʃ]
n
A full-length waterproof raincoat, traditionally made of rubberized fabric.
Etymology
The word 'mackintosh' is an eponym, derived directly from the name of Charles Macintosh, the Scottish chemist who patented a method for waterproofing fabric by sandwiching rubber between two layers of cloth in 1823. The spelling variant with a 'k' became standard for the garment, distinguishing it from the surname. His invention revolutionized outdoor wear, leading to his name becoming synonymous with the raincoat itself. This process of a proprietary name transitioning into a generic term for a product is a common phenomenon in the history of the English language.
Analysis
The word is a proper name adopted as a common noun. It originates from the surname of the Scottish inventor Charles Macintosh (1766-1843).
Examples
He turned up the collar of his old mackintosh against the driving rain.
The classic trench coat evolved from the earlier mackintosh.
She always carries a folded mackintosh in her bag during the spring.