A fool and a doily stuff, would now and then find
days of grace, and be worn for variety. -- Congreve.
[1913 Webster]
2. A small napkin, used at table with the fruit, etc.; -- commonly colored and fringed. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
doily — 1714, short for doily napkin (1711), from doily thin, woolen fabric; supposedly from Doiley, surname of a 17c. early 18c. dry goods dealer on London s Strand. Doily earlier meant genteel, affordable woolens (1670s), evidently from the same source … Etymology dictionary
doily — [doi′lē] n. pl. doilies [after a 17th c. London draper named Doily or Doyley] 1. a small napkin 2. a small mat, as of lace or paper, put under a dish, vase, or the like, as a decoration or to protect a surface … English World dictionary
doily — meaning ‘a napkin’, is spelt like this, not doiley or doyly. (despite the word s origin: it is named after a 17c London draper called Doiley). The plural is doilies … Modern English usage
doily — ► NOUN (pl. doilies) ▪ a small ornamental mat made of lace or paper. ORIGIN from Doiley or Doyley, a 17th century London draper … English terms dictionary
Doily — A doily A doily (or doilie) is an ornamental mat, originally the name of a fabric made by Doiley, a 17th century London draper.[1] Doily earlier meant genteel, affordable woolens , evidently from the same source.[2] … Wikipedia
Doily — In the late seventeenth century, during the reign of Queen Anne, an ingenious merchant sold a material that appealed to his customers because it was attractive and cheap. The material was used for summertime wear, but another use for the… … Dictionary of eponyms
doily — [17] In the latter part of the 17th century a certain Mr Doily kept a celebrated draper’s shop in the Strand, London, not too far from where the Aldwych now is (‘The famous Doily is still fresh in every one’s Memory, who raised a Fortune by… … The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins
doily — [17] In the latter part of the 17th century a certain Mr Doily kept a celebrated draper’s shop in the Strand, London, not too far from where the Aldwych now is (‘The famous Doily is still fresh in every one’s Memory, who raised a Fortune by… … Word origins
doily — n. a lace; linen; paper doily * * * [ dɔɪlɪ] linen paper doily a lace … Combinatory dictionary
doily — UK [ˈdɔɪlɪ] / US noun [countable] Word forms doily : singular doily plural doilies a round piece of paper or cloth with a pattern of holes that you put on a plate before putting cakes, sandwiches etc on it, or that you put on a table or piece of… … English dictionary
