leathern.
/ˈlɛðə/, U.S. /ˈlɛðər/ The simple word.
1. figurative.1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin I. v. 59 Not a cruel man, exactly, but a man of leather.
a. Skin prepared for use by tanning, or some similar process. American leather, a kind of oil-cloth; ‘an English name for what in the U.S. is called enameled cloth’ (Funk); vegetable leather, a material consisting of a layer or layers of linen on which india-rubber is spread. For Morocco, patent, Russia, Spanish, Turkey, white leather, see the prefixed words.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > leather > [noun]
leatherc1230
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > leather > [noun] > tanned leather > specific
leatherc1230
whitleather1384
tawc1562
Turkey leather1655
Turkey1715
chrome leather1882
chrome-tanned leather1882
c1230 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 167 Þe hund þe fret leðer..me hit beat ananriht.
c1380 Eng. Wycliffite Serm. in Sel. Wks. II. 45 So may men go on þe eyre ȝif it be closid wiþinne leþer.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 1581 Alle þat loked on þat letter as lewed þay were As þay had loked in þe leþer of my lyft bote.
1464 Inv. in J. H. Parker Some Acct. Domest. Archit. (1859) III. 113 A square standarde, and covered with blaak letheir.
a1475 Liber Cocorum (Sloane) (1862) 33 With leder þo mouthe þen schalt þou bynde.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xxi. 370 Merlin made hem digge depe vndir an Oke till thei fonde a vessell of lether.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid xi. xv. 9 Sovir weid Of curbulȝe or leddyr wyth gylt nalis.
1546 in J. Stuart Extracts Council Reg. Aberdeen (1844) I. 238 Ane bulget of blak ledder.
a1568 R. Ascham Scholemaster (1570) ii. f. 35v Turning of good wine, out of a faire sweete flagon of siluer, into a foule mustie bottell of ledder.
1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1888) I. 140 The pennie he causet be cuinȝet of a buffill hyde, to wit of sik kynde of lathir.
1597 W. Langham Garden of Health 665 Binde the herbe to the body in Crimson lether, to stop bleeding.
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Kings i. 8 Girt with a girdle of leather about his loynes. View more context for this quotation
1705 F. Fuller Medicina Gymnastica 135 We can by squeezing make Water pass through Leather.
1852 C. Morfit Art of Tanning, Currying, & Leather-dressing (1853) 146 When placed in the tan-vats they [hides or skins] become leather.
1893 G. Allen Scallywag I. 97 That peculiar sort of deep-brown oil-cloth which is known..as American leather.
b. plural. Kinds of leather.
ΚΠ
1853 A. Ure Dict. Arts (ed. 4) II. 65 A great variety of leathers in all conditions and states of manufacture is exhibited.
1896 Westm. Gaz. 5 Dec. 3/2 An elementary course on the dressing of skins and more advanced courses on the tanning of heavy and light leathers.
c. Proverbs and proverbial sayings.
ΚΠ
1465 M. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 316 Men cut large thongys here of othere mens lethere.
1583 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Serm. on Deuteronomie cxiii. 696 The common prouerbe which saith that wee cut large thongs of other mens lether.
1767 D. Fenning Universal Spelling Bk. 36 A Currier, being present, said..If you have a Mind to have the Town well fortified and secure, take my Word, there is Nothing like Leather.
1837 F. Palgrave Merchant & Friar (1844) 147 Depend upon it, Sir, there is nothing like leather.
d. leather and prunella: an expression for something to which one is utterly indifferent.[This is, strictly speaking, a misinterpretation of Pope's words; the context refers to the difference of rank between the ‘cobbler’ and the ‘parson’, prunella being mentioned as the material for the clerical gown.]
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > [noun] > that which is unimportant
thing of noughtc1425
nothing such1579
of nothing1583
nullitya1591
O1608
ciphera1616
zero1650
flinga1661
leather and prunella1734
small change1822
minus quantity1843
nuthin'1843
nothingburger1953
1734 A. Pope Ess. Man: Epist. IV 194 Worth makes the Man, and want of it the Fellow; The rest, is all but Leather or Prunella.
1811 Ld. Byron Epit. J. Blackett Then who shall say so good a fellow Was only ‘leather and prunella?’
1831 Society 1 32 A preux chevalier, to whom all others were leather and prunella.
1879 A. Trollope Thackeray 192 The man to whom these delights of American humour are leather and prunello.
2.
a. An article or appliance made of leather, e.g. a strap, a thong; a piece of leather for a plaster or to tighten a tap; the leathern portion of a bellows, or of a pump-sucker; a stirrup-leather. upper leather: see upper leather n..
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > leather > [noun] > article(s) or appliance(s) made of leather
leatherc1400
c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 199 Herof þou schalt plane vpon a leþer, & leie it to þe lyme þat is forseid.
1486 Bk. St. Albans B vj Thessame letheris that be putt in hir bellis.
1497 in M. Oppenheim Naval Accts. & Inventories Henry VII (1896) 237 Coueryng & settyng the Newe ledders vnto the seid Bellowes.
c1500 Melusine (1895) ix. 39 At both thendes of the said thonge or leder shal spryng out of the Roche a fayre fontayne.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) xc. 285 He..stretched him so in his styrropes that ye lethers streyned out thre fyngers.
1586 in J. Barmby Churchwardens' Accts. Pittington (1888) 22 Item given for the leather which it [the bell clapper] hings, iiijd.
1607 G. Markham Cavelarice ii. 75 Those..thrustings forward with your legges, stirrops, & leathers.
1682 Art & Myst. of Vintners 12 Take a course harden Cloth, and put it before the Bore..then put in your Leathers.
1702 T. Savery Miner's Friend 82 The [friction of the] others are vastly encreased by the Leathers of their Suckers.
1731 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 37 9 When the Leathers [of a pump] grow too soft, they are not capable of sustaining the Pillar to be raised.
1852 R. F. Burton Falconry in Valley of Indus iv. 47 (note) Bewits are leathers and bells buttoned round the shank.
1853 ‘C. Bede’ Adventures Mr. Verdant Green xii. 113 They..endeavoured to have a game of billiards..with curious cues that had no leathers.
1907 Yesterday's Shopping (1969) 300/2 Hunting saddle,..complete with stirrup irons and leathers.
1928 D. Byrne Destiny Bay vii. §2. 314 The shorter your leathers, the less you know about your mount.
1936 J. Cary Afr. Witch vii. 137 ‘You ride too long... Take up your leathers.’ Fisk obediently took up his stirrups a hole.
1952 M. Allingham Tiger in Smoke xiii. 197 Off you go! Shorten your leathers.
b. plural. Articles for wear made of leather, e.g. shoes, slippers, leggings, breeches. Hence colloquial ‘leathers’ as a name for one who wears leather breeches or leggings. Also singular, a leather jacket or coat.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > [noun] > made from specific material > leather
leathers1962
leather1966
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for body or trunk (and limbs) > [noun] > jacket > made of specific material
cork-jacket1762
zamarra1841
worsted1905
Cossack1919
bush jacket1939
leathers1962
puffa1975
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for body or trunk (and limbs) > [noun] > coat > types of > made of specific material
skin coat1533
buff1598
buff coat1633
hair-camlet1676
duffel1852
Guernsey coat1859
rabbit1877
polo coat1880
lammy coat1916
sheepskin1917
teddy bear1925
ranch mink1934
Persian1957
Persian lamb1959
leathers1962
leopard1973
Afghan1974
sable1975
squirrel1978
1836 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers (1837) xix. 193 Out of the vay, young leathers.
1841 C. J. Lever Charles O'Malley iv. 24 His own costume of black coat, leathers and tops was in perfect keeping.
a1845 T. Hood Agric. Distress vi He taps his leathers with his stick.
1849 W. M. Thackeray Pendennis (1850) I. xxi. 196 ‘Jump in, old boy—go it, leathers!’
1873 R. Browning Red Cotton Night-cap Country ii. 87 Carried pick-a-back by Eldobert Big-baby-fashion, lest his leathers leak!
1883 E. Pennell-Elmhirst Cream Leics. 152 They..came in the full glory of pink and leathers.
1887 I. Randall Lady's Ranche Life Montana 64 A great big man with a beard, dressed in white leathers and jack boots.
1894 A. Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes 56 I glanced down at the new patent leathers which I was wearing.
1962 John o' London's 4 Jan. 20/1 A Banquo little more than an Oberon in his ‘leather’.
1962 John o' London's 31 May 535/4 Two youths in leathers and crash-helmets.
1970 Daily Tel. 2 Mar. 14 Ankle-length, shiny, wet-look coats, suèdes and leathers were often trimmed with fur.
1972 Ellis & Newman in T. Kochman Rappin' & Stylin' Out 378 Wear ‘black leathers’.
1973 P. Dickinson Gift ix. 142 Ian got into his leathers, Davy put on two extra layers of clothing, the bike started first kick.
c. Cricket and Football. The ball.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > [noun] > ball
footballa1425
kick-ball1828
puntabout1845
leather1868
pigskin1889
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > equipment > [noun] > ball
cricket ball1658
leather1868
1868 C. Box Theory & Pract. Cricket 22 They [the French] can see no delight in..getting in the way of ‘leather’.
1882 Daily Tel. 17 May Spofforth resigned the leather to Boyle.
1896 A. E. Housman Shropshire Lad xxvii. 39 Is football playing.., With lads to chase the leather, Now I stand up no more?
d. As the name of a colour.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > colour > named colours > brown or brownness > [noun] > yellowish brown > tan
tan-colour1811
leather1872
suede1873
tan1888
saddle brown1907
saddle1947
1872 Queen 15 June 431/3 Costume cloth in all the new colours, including pink,..leather,..and all leading colours.
1923 Daily Mail 16 Jan. 1 (advt.) Coat frock..Grey, Mole, Leather,..New Brown.
1923 Daily Mail 31 July 1/3 (advt.) Grey, Smoke, Leather and Navy.
e. slang. Various articles made of, or clad in, leather, such as (a) a wallet or purse; (b) a leather-shod foot; hence a kick; (c) a boxing-glove; hence a punch or boxing.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific thing > [noun] > with the foot > kicking > a kick
spurna1300
kick1530
yark1581
wince1612
pote1781
funk1808
spang1863
leather1883
root1907
boot1942
hoof1985
(a)
(b)1931 D. Runyon Guys & Dolls (1932) vi. 118 Dave walks over and starts to give Waldo Winchester the leather.1936 ‘J. Curtis’ Gilt Kid vi. 61 Old boys never could stand the leather.(c)1936 ‘R. Hyde’ Passport to Hell v. 86 It started off as a pretty little bout, though neither knew much about the leather.1950 J. Dempsey Championship Fighting ii. 12 Meehan..threw so much leather and was so rugged that he and I broke even.1883 ‘M. Twain’ Life on Mississippi lii. 511 I pulled off an old woman's leather; (robbed her of her pocket-book).
1899 ‘J. Flynt’ Tramping with Tramps 395 ‘To reef a leather’ means that the pickpocket pulls out the lining of a pocket containing the ‘leather’.
1914 L. E. Jackson & C. R. Hellyer Vocab. Criminal Slang 54 Leather,..Some general currency, but used chiefly by pickpockets. A pocketbook; a wallet; a billbook.
1938 F. D. Sharpe Sharpe of Flying Squad 331 Leathers, wallets. (An inveterate pickpocket is sometimes called ‘A Leather Merchant’.)
1955 Publ. Amer. Dial. Soc. No. 24. 114 The ordinary billfold which men normally carry, folded double, in the hip pocket, is called a leather.
3. Skin; now only slang exc. spec., the skin on the ear-flap of a dog. to lose leather; to suffer abrasion of skin. Also, †a bag or pouch of skin.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > skin > [noun]
swardc725
fellOE
hidea1000
leather1303
skina1325
rinda1413
swarth?c1450
swadc1460
thackc1480
skin coat1589
hackle1609
flesha1616
pelta1626
integument1664
barka1758
exoskeleton1839
the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > injure [verb (intransitive)] > be injured > suffer abrasion or chafe
gall1631
to lose leather1735
the world > animals > animal body > general parts > covering or skin > [noun]
mantlea1475
hackle1609
integument1664
rind1667
leather1883
the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > family Canidae > dog > [noun] > parts of > parts of) ear(s)
prick ears1573
button ear1867
tulip ear1877
leather1883
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 3451 Þan wete men neuere, wheþer ys wheþer, Þe ȝelughe wymple or þe leþer [glossed skyn].
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 1360 Þe lyuer & þe lyȝteȝ, þe leþer of þe pauncheȝ.
c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 269 Whanne a mannes bowels falliþ into his ballokis leþeris.
c1450 Jacob's Well (1900) 186 Whann she was deed, here frendys sowedyn [here] in hertys ledyr.
c1500 Melusine (1895) x. 41 As moche of grounde as the hyde or leder of a hert shall mow comprehende.
?1541 R. Copland Guy de Chauliac's Questyonary Cyrurgyens ii. sig. Cijv How many maners of skynnes or lether are there? Answere. Two, one is entrynsyke or outforth, and that is proprely called lether.
1583 P. Stubbes Anat. Abuses sig. Civv Did the Lord cloth our first parents in leather?
1735 J. Swift To Earl Peterborow in Wks. II. 353 Returning sound in Limb and Wind, Except some Leather lost behind.
1807 R. Wilson Jrnl. 15 May in Life Gen. Sir R. Wilson (1862) II. vii. 214 Others came on slowly to save their horses and their native leather.
1883 G. Stables Our Friend the Dog vii. 60 Leather—the skin, generally applied to that of the ear.
1884 J. Colborne With Hicks Pasha in Soudan 50 Most of us, to use the hunting term, were ‘losing leather’ rapidly.
1952 C. L. B. Hubbard Pembrokeshire Corgi Handbk. 112 Leather, the skin on the ear flap.
1960 Times 2 Jan. 9/2 The ear leather of the workers [sc. spaniels] is shorter than in show specimens.
1968 H. Harmar Chihuahua Guide 240 Leather, the skin of the earflap.
Compounds
C1.
a. Consisting or made of leather, or of a material resembling it.
ΚΠ
c1000 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 117/3 Bulgæ, leþer~coddas.
1497 in M. Oppenheim Naval Accts. & Inventories Henry VII (1896) 89 Leder bagges.
1598 R. Barret Theorike & Pract. Mod. Warres v. 134 Lether bagges or satchels, to cary powder behind men on horsebacke.
1607 T. Middleton Revengers Trag. ii. sig. D4 Lether-hindges to a dore.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 (1623) ii. v. 48 His cold thinne drinke out of his Leather Bottle. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) i. i. 7 Where is thy Leather Apron, and thy Rule? View more context for this quotation
1655 T. Moffett & C. Bennet Healths Improvem. viii. 66 Their flesh is hardly digested of a weak stomack, and their leather-coat not easily of a strong.
1682 (title of song) The Leather Bottèl.
1862 G. Borrow Wild Wales (ed. 2) 67 Policemen..in their blue coats and leather hats.
1872 J. Yeats Techn. Hist. Commerce 159 Leather gloves, saddles and harness.
b. Some combinations of the above type occur attributively.
ΚΠ
1655 W. Gurnall Christian in Armour: 1st Pt. 242 A poore leather-coat Christian will shame and catechize a hundred of them.
1665–6 Answ. Fr. Declar. War in Harl. Misc. II. 479 A fig for France, or any that accords With those Low~country leather-apron lords.
1723 Duke of Wharton True Briton No. 10. ¶20 When you..consented to use your utmost Efforts for chusing Two proper Sheriffs in Opposition to a Majority of Livery Men, and to stretch your Pocket among Leather-Apron Stentors.
1769 Dublin Merc. 16–19 Sept. 2/2 Chairs and settee..leather-bottom chairs.
1897 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. III. 486 The so-called ‘leather-bottle stomach’.
1900 Everybody's Mag. 3 497/2 Wool cards—leather back implements set with wire teeth.
1902 Westm. Gaz. 14 June 8/3 A fire broke out in a leather goods manufactory.
1946 J. W. Waterer Leather xiii. 222 An..up-to-date manual of leather goods manufacture.
1971 D. MacKenzie Sleep is for Rich vi. 196 A leathergoods store downtown stayed open during the lunch hour.
C2. General combinations.
a. Attributive.
(a)
leather-merchant n.
ΚΠ
1861 Sat. Rev. 3 Aug. 114/1 Great leather-merchants.
leather-work n.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > working with specific materials > working with skins > [noun] > making items from leather
leathering1517
glove-maker1609
leather-work1856
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > ornamental art and craft > [noun] > work in specific medium
bonework1557
shell-work1611
rockwork1615
feather-work1665
quillwork1688
boss-work1697
ice work1729
wafer-work1789
filigree paper1800
feather-mosaic1843
cut paper1847
plumagery1854
leather-work1856
graffito1863
cuerda seca1911
papercraft1917
barbola1927
rosemaling1933
cuenca1939
penwork1969
1856 C. M. Yonge Daisy Chain i. xv. 143 Meta has been making a drawing for her papa, and is framing it in leather work.
1870 W. C. Bryant tr. Homer Iliad I. vii. 222 Tychius, skilled beyond all other men In leather-work.
1906 F. G. Sanford & A. F. Phillips Art Crafts for Beginners (rev. ed.) vi. 137 The great popularity of leather-work among amateurs is due..to the fact that a small and inexpensive equipment is all that is required.
1971 H. Pluckrose Bk. of Crafts 53/2 In the past amateur leatherwork meant punching and thonging.
(b)
leather-hard n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > strength > [adjective] > tough > like leather
leathern1513
leathery1552
leatherly1573
leather-like1592
coriaceous1674
leather-hard1960
1960 H. Powell Beginner's Bk. Pottery ii. 64 Leather-hard, the condition of clay when it may be cut. Soap condition.
1967 M. Chandler Ceramics in Mod. World iv. 122 Each such blank, after partial drying to render it leather-hard, is turned on a semiautomatic lathe.
1971 Islander (Victoria, Brit. Columbia) 12 Dec. 7/1 The pot and the slip have reached a stage which is known as leather-hard. This means the pot may be handled safely without risk of damage, but is still capable of receiving the indented design.
leather-like adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > strength > [adjective] > tough > like leather
leathern1513
leathery1552
leatherly1573
leather-like1592
coriaceous1674
leather-hard1960
1592 W. Warner Albions Eng. (rev. ed.) vii. xxxvii. 165 My limber wings were Leather-like vnplum'de.
1776 E. M. da Costa Elements Conchol. 121 A..toughish coriaceous or leather-like substance.
1851 G. F. Richardson Introd. Geol. (1855) 433 A soft, leather-like mouth, capable of protrusion and retraction.
b. Objective.† leather-parer n. Obsolete
leather-cutter n.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > manual or industrial worker > workers with specific materials > worker with skins or hides > [noun] > worker with leather > who cuts or splits
leather-cutter1804
skiver1829
1804 W. Tennant Indian Recreat. II. 195 Chumars, or leather cutters.
1886 T. Hardy Mayor of Casterbridge I. iv. 52 The class of objects displayed in the shop-windows. Scythes..at the ironmonger's..at the glover's and leather-cutter's hedging-gloves [etc.].
leather-dresser n.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > manual or industrial worker > workers with specific materials > worker with skins or hides > [noun] > worker with leather > who dresses leather
currierc1380
ploater1601
leather-dresser1611
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Megissier,..a Fellmonger, a Leather-dresser.
1862 Mrs. H. Wood Mrs. Halliburton's Troubles i. xxvi. 134 When the skins came in from the leather-dressers they were washed in a tub of cold water.
leather-dyer n.
ΚΠ
?1518 Cocke Lorelles Bote sig. B.vjv Pardoners kynges benche gatherers and lether dyers.
leather-gilder n.
ΚΠ
1692 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) II. 566 Three clippers seized..one a leather gilder.
ΚΠ
1725 London Gaz. No. 6403/4 Joseph Woolley,.. Leather-Pairer.
leather-sealer n.
ΚΠ
1662 in J. H. Trumbull Public Rec. Colony of Connecticut (1850) I. 377 The leathr sealers..shal haue allowed vnto them for each Dicker of Leather they seale, 18d.
1798 I. Allen Nat. & Polit. Hist. Vermont 272 Weights and measures, leather sealers &c. are regulated according to law.
leather-seller n.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > selling > seller > sellers of specific things > [noun] > seller of leather
leather-seller?1518
leather-man1624
?1518 Cocke Lorelles Bote sig. B.vj Bokeler makers, dyers, and lether sellers.
1849 G. Grote Hist. Greece VI. ii. l. 331 Kleon, the leather-seller.
leather-stainer n.
ΚΠ
1825 W. Hone Every-day Bk. (1826) I. 515 Mr. Bailey, leather-stainer.
leather-worker n.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > manual or industrial worker > workers with specific materials > worker with skins or hides > [noun] > worker with leather
codder1507
mochi1815
chamar1858
strapper?1881
leather-worker1891
1891 E. Kinglake Austral. at Home 81 The French leather-workers have discovered the capabilities of their [kangaroos'] skins.
c.
leather-cutting n.
ΚΠ
1868 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (Brit. Libr. pre-publ. copy) I. 211 Do you really know..carpentering and leather-cutting?
leather-dressing n.
ΚΠ
1850 Ann. Rep. Commissioner Patents 1849: Arts & Manuf. 357 in U.S. Congress. Serial Set (31st Congr., 1st Sess.: House of Representatives Executive Doc. 20, Pt. 1) VI I claim the adjustable scraper..for the purposes and uses of leather dressing.
leather-stitching n.
ΚΠ
1891 ‘S. C. Scrivener’ Our Fields & Cities 53 Allotments for shoemakers to dig, after ten hours of leather-stitching per diem.
d. Also in the names of implements used in the manufacture or preparation of leather.
leather-polisher n.
leather-softener n.
leather-stretcher n.
leather-stuffer n.
e. Instrumental.
leather-aproned adj.
ΚΠ
1782 J. Trumbull M'Fingal (1785) 92 Each leather-aproned clown grown wise.
leather-bottomed adj.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > seat > chair > [adjective] > types of chair
caned1696
rush-bottomed1696
rush-bottom1729
roundabout chair1741
leather-bottomed1783
stick-back1783
poker-backed1830
flag-bottomed1840
claw-footed1858
seatless1871
cane-bottomed1877
cane-seated1881
sag-seated1890
sit-up1891
slat-back1891
sag-bottomed1893
spindle-back1896
shield-back1897
Carver1902
basket-bodied1903
panel-back1904
Cromwellian1905
hooped-back1906
saddle-backed1910
hard-arsed1933
sling-back1948
X-frame1955
hard-arse1964
1783 in E. Parkman Diary (1899) 298 9 black chairs..five leather bottomed Do.
1854 J. E. Cooke Virginia Comedians I. xxii. 127 A rude oaken table and some leather-bottomed chairs.
leather-bound adj.
ΚΠ
1894 H. H. Gardener Unofficial Patriot 124 He reached up and took down a leather-bound volume.
leather-coated adj.
ΚΠ
1903 To-Day 4 Mar. 191/2 The implements consist of small leather-coated balls and wooden hockey sticks about seven inches long, which are held as one would hold a pencil.
leather-covered adj.
ΚΠ
1868 C. B. Norton & W. J. Valentine Rep. to Govt. U.S. on Munitions of War at Paris Universal Exhib. 1867 102 A leather-covered seat.
leather-faced adj.
ΚΠ
1906 Westm. Gaz. 20 Nov. 4/2 Metal-to-metal clutches are..extending in favour at the expense of the old leather-faced bone type.
1908 Westm. Gaz. 29 Dec. 4/1 The three-speed gear-box..to which the power is transmitted through the medium of a leatherfaced clutch.
leather-jacketed adj.
ΚΠ
1916 J. Joyce Portrait of Artist ii. 81 There stood the stout leatherjacketed vaulting horse.
leather-lined adj. figurative
ΚΠ
1846 W. H. Emory in J. C. Frémont & W. H. Emory Notes Trav. Calif. (1849) 22/2 The first mouthful brought the tears trickling down my cheeks, very much to the amusement of the spectators with their leather-lined throats. It was red pepper, stuffed with minced meat.
1903 Work 18 July 382/1 The clutch..pulls the band (which.., is steel, leather-lined).
1913 W. Owen Let. 13 Nov. (1967) 211 2 shirts (leather-lined extra).
leather-topped adj.
ΚΠ
1911 O. Onions Widdershins 281 The large leather-topped table.
1936 E. E. Evans-Pritchard in Ess. Social Anthropol. (1962) viii. 179 They were preceded in this romp through gardens and cultivations by a small boy beating on a leather-topped drum.
1965 G. McInnes Road to Gundagai vii. 119 Soft..armchairs and sofas, a big leather-topped desk.
leather-upholstered adj.
ΚΠ
1923 F. L. Packard Four Stragglers ii. v. 183 Polly Wickes rose hastily from the..big leather-upholstered Chesterfield.
f. Parasynthetic derivatives (often with similative meaning).
leather-coated adj.
ΚΠ
1902 W. B. Yeats In Seven Woods (1903) 12 And leather-coated men, with slings.
leather-complexioned adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > skin > textures or states of skin > [adjective] > tough
leather-complexioned1809
leather-skinned1896
1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas III. vii. xiii. 188 That little swarthy, leather-complexioned Adonis.
leather-eared adj.
ΚΠ
1682 Heraclitus Ridens 28 Mar. 1/1 Twelve Leather-ear'd Disciples might have been found in the Vicinage.
leather-face adj.
ΚΠ
1884 ‘M. Twain’ Adventures Huckleberry Finn xxviii. 243 You ain't one of these leather-face people. I don't want no better book that [sic] what your face is.
leather-faced adj.
ΚΠ
1919 W. Deeping Second Youth xv. 128 She let this leather-faced old rascal flirt with her quite harmlessly.
1934 T. Wilder Heaven's my Destination 3 Brush..chose a seat beside a tall leather-faced man.
leather-jacketed adj. (cf. leather-jacket n. 5.)
ΚΠ
1960 Economist 8 Oct. 149/1 Among the cartoonists Herblock has drawn Mr Khrushchev as a leather-jacketed gang-leader.
1961 Encounter XVII. ii. 17/2 The leather-jacketed ‘Teddy Boy’ gangs of Western Germany.
1969 Daily Tel. 2 Sept. 1/3 South and East coast resorts were invaded yesterday by hundreds of leather-jacketed Rockers and teenagers in jeans and steel-tipped boots.
1973 J. Wainwright Pride of Pigs 114 The leather-jacketed, stocking-feeted Hell's Angel.
leather-legginged adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > wearing clothing > [adjective] > wearing clothing for legs > wearing gaiters or leggings > types of
ocreateda1661
leather-legginged1836
spatterdashed1848
spatted1894
1836 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers (1837) xix. 188 Here the leather-leggined boy laughed very heartily.
1852 R. S. Surtees Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour ii. ix. 41 First comes a velveteen-jacketed, leather-legginged keeper.
leather-lunged adj.
ΚΠ
1833 W. P. Scargill Puritan's Grave (1846) 20 The ruder shoutings of the leather-lunged rabble.
leather-skinned adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > fruit and vegetables > [adjective] > tough-skinned
leather-skinned1746
the world > life > the body > skin > textures or states of skin > [adjective] > tough
leather-complexioned1809
leather-skinned1896
1746 Moffett & Bennet's Health's Improvem. (new ed.) xxii. 304 The Province Olives are..more leather like skin'd, yet better for the stomach then the Spanish.
1896 B. M. Croker Village Tales 18 An active, leather-skinned man.
leather-winged adj.
ΚΠ
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. xii. sig. Aa3v The lether-winged Batt, dayes enimy.
C3. Special combinations. † leather-kersner n. [ < Middle High German kürsenære, German kürschner skinner] Obsolete a pelterer.
leather-back n. a large marine soft-shelled turtle, Dermochelys coriacea
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > reptiles > order Chelonia (turtles and tortoises) > [noun] > suborder Cryptodira > family Dermochelidae > member of (leather-back)
sea-turtlec1612
trunk-turtle1697
leather-back1855
leathery turtle1875
luth1883
trunk-back1883
leather-turtle1884
1855 J. Ogilvie Suppl. Imperial Dict. Leather-back.
1880 Cassell's Nat. Hist. IV. 260 The Leather-back Turtles, whose carapace is not covered with scales of shell, but with a dense coriaceous skin.
1965 R. McKie Company of Animals xii. 168 On the beaches of Trengganu..the leatherback turtles lay their eggs.
1969 A. Bellairs Life of Reptiles I. ii. 41 The tendency nowadays is to regard the leatherback as a specialised descendant of turtles of more ‘ordinary’ type.
leather-bark n. a tree of the genus Thymelæa.
ΚΠ
1751 J. Bartram Observ. Trav. from Pensilvania 28 Abundance of leather-bark or thymelea, which is plentiful in all this part of the country.
Categories »
leather beans n. U.S. dialect dried beans or dried bean-pods; beans that have been dried and then cooked in their shells.
leather belting n. machine belting made of leather; also attributive.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > parts of machines > mechanism > [noun] > driving mechanism > type of
leather belting1874
society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > parts of machines > mechanism > [adjective] > driving mechanism > type of
leather belting1874
1874 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. I. 273/1 Leather belting is ordinarily prepared in the following manner.
1877 Design & Work 9 June 23 (advt.) Charles Churchill and Co., importers of American machinery and tools,..lathes, vices, planes,..American leather belting.
1909 Westm. Gaz. 6 Apr. 2/1 The exposure of the graft.. behind the duty on hides was made by tanners and shoe and leather-belting manufacturers.
1946 J. W. Waterer Leather 304 Included in its members are all the principal manufacturers of leather belting.
1946 J. W. Waterer Leather 304 Persons engaged in or intending to engage in the leather belting trade.
Categories »
leather-board n. a composition of leather scraps, paper, etc., glued together and rolled into sheets, used in shoemaking (E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. 1875).
leather breeches n. U.S. dialect dried beans or dried bean-pods; beans that have been dried and then cooked in their shells.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > fruit and vegetables > vegetables > pulse > [noun] > bean > dried beans
leather breeches1913
1913 H. Kephart Our Southern Highlanders 292 Beans dried in the pod, then boiled ‘hull and all’ are called leather-breeches (this is not slang, but the regular name).
1941 J. Smiley Hash House Lingo 35 Leather breeches, dried kidney beans.
1943 R. Chase in B. A. Botkin Treasury Southern Folklore (1949) 470 Such communal tasks as stringing beans for canning, or threading them up to make the dried pods known as ‘leather britches’.
1972 E. Wigginton Foxfire Bk. 15 He..dried leather Britches beans.
1972 E. Wigginton Foxfire Bk. 167 Leather breeches beans... Take a string of dried green beans down, remove the thread, and drop them in a pot of scalding water.
leather-carp n. a scaleless variety of the carp.
ΚΠ
1880–4 F. Day Fishes Great Brit. & Ireland II. 159 The leather-carp, Cyprinus nudus, C. alepidotus, C. coriaceus, or C. nudus, in which scales are absent, but the skin is very much thickened.
leather-cloth n. (also leathercloth) cloth coated on one side with a waterproof varnish; also, a synthetic product simulating leather.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > textile fabric > textile fabric manufactured in specific way > treated or processed in specific way > [noun] > made waterproof > with varnish
leather-cloth1857
1857 Mechanics' Mag. 4 Apr. 321 A singularly close and valuable imitation [of leather] known as ‘Crockett's Leather Cloth’.
1929 Publishers' Circular 18 May 621/3 A revolution has taken place in the world of leather by the introduction of the synthetic product leathercloth.
1937 Archit. Rev. 81 291/1 The manufacturers of cheaper cars began to use leathercloth as a finish over the normal rigid type of body construction and the snob-appeal of purpose-made bodies was lost.
1961 Times 30 May (I.C.I. Suppl.) p. viii/1 The original amalgamation brought together..dyestuffs, leather~cloth, paints and non-ferrous metals.
1973 Daily Tel. 21 Nov. 14/4 This test car was upholstered in a ventilated leathercloth.
leather-coat n. a name for russet apples, from the roughness of their skin.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > fruit and vegetables > fruit or a fruit > apple > [noun] > eating-apple > types of
costardc1390
bitter-sweet1393
Queening?1435
richardine?1435
blaundrellc1440
pear apple1440
tuberc1440
quarrendenc1450
birtle1483
deusan1570
apple-john1572
Richard1572
lording1573
greening1577
queen apple1579
peeler1580
darling1584
doucin1584
golding1589
puffin1589
lady's longing1591
bitter-sweeting1597
pearmain1597
paradise apple1598
garden globe1600
gastlet1600
leather-coat1600
maligar1600
pome-paradise1601
French pippin1629
gillyflower1629
king apple1635
lady apple1651
golden pippin1654
goldling1655
puff1655
cardinal1658
green fillet1662
chestnut1664
cinnamon apple1664
fenouil1664
go-no-further1664
Westbury apple1664
seek-no-farther1670
nonsuch1676
calville1691
passe-pomme1691
fennel apple1699
queen1699
genet1706
fig-apple1707
oaken pin1707
nonpareil1726
costing1731
monstrous reinette1731
Newtown pippin1760
Ribston1782
Rhode Island greening1795
oslin1801
fall pippin1803
monstrous pippin1817
Newtown Spitzenburg1817
Gravenstein1821
Red Astrachan1822
Tolman sweet1822
grange apple1823
orange pippin1823
Baldwin1826
Sturmer Pippin1831
Newtowner1846
Northern Spy1847
Blenheim Orange1860
Cox1860
McIntosh Red1876
Worcester1877
raspberry apple1894
delicious1898
Laxton's Superb1920
Macoun1924
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular food plant or plant product > particular types of fruit > [noun] > apple > eating-apple > types of
costardc1390
bitter-sweet1393
pippin?1435
pomewater?1435
Queening?1435
richardine?1435
blaundrellc1440
pear apple1440
tuberc1440
quarrendenc1450
birtle1483
sweeting1530
pomeroyal1534
renneta1568
deusan1570
apple-john1572
Richard1572
lording1573
russeting1573
greening1577
queen apple1579
peeler1580
reinette1582
darling1584
doucin1584
golding1589
puffin1589
lady's longing1591
bitter-sweeting1597
pearmain1597
paradise apple1598
garden globe1600
gastlet1600
leather-coat1600
maligar1600
pomeroy1600
short-start1600
jenneting1601
pome-paradise1601
russet coat1602
John apple1604
honey apple1611
honeymeal1611
musk apple1611
short-shank1611
spice apple1611
French pippin1629
king apple1635
lady apple1651
golden pippin1654
goldling1655
puff1655
cardinal1658
renneting1658
green fillet1662
chestnut1664
cinnamon apple1664
fenouil1664
go-no-further1664
reinetting1664
Westbury apple1664
seek-no-farther1670
nonsuch1676
white-wining1676
russet1686
calville1691
fennel apple1699
queen1699
genet1706
fig-apple1707
oaken pin1707
musk1708
nonpareil1726
costing1731
monstrous reinette1731
Newtown pippin1760
Ribston1782
Rhode Island greening1795
oslin1801
wine apple1802
fall pippin1803
monstrous pippin1817
Newtown Spitzenburg1817
Gravenstein1821
Red Astrachan1822
Tolman sweet1822
grange apple1823
orange pippin1823
Baldwin1826
wine-sap1826
Jonathan1831
Sturmer Pippin1831
rusty-coat1843
Newtowner1846
Northern Spy1847
Cornish gilliflowerc1850
Blenheim Orange1860
Cox1860
nutmeg pippin1860
McIntosh Red1876
Worcester1877
raspberry apple1894
delicious1898
Laxton's Superb1920
Melba apple1928
Melba1933
Mutsu1951
Newtown1953
discovery1964
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 v. iii. 42 Theres a dish of Lether-coates for you. View more context for this quotation
1676 J. Worlidge Vinetum Britannicum 158 The Leather-Coat, or Golden-Russeting, as some call it, is a very good Winter-Fruit.
leather-flower n. a North-American climbing-plant ( Clematis Viorna) with thick leathery purplish sepals.
ΚΠ
1866 J. Lindley & T. Moore Treasury Bot. Leather-flower, Clematis Viorna.
leather-head n. (a) slang a blockhead; (b) Australian the friar-bird.
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-
1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew Leather-head, a Thick-skull'd, Heavy-headed Fellow.
1847 F. W. L. Leichhardt Jrnl. Overland Exped. Austral. xiii. 461 The Leatherhead with its constantly changing call and whistling.
1860 G. Bennett Gatherings of Naturalist in Austral. x. 233 Among the Honey-suckers is that singular-looking bird, the Leatherhead, or Bald-headed Friar (Tropidorhynchus corniculatus).
leather-headed adj. stupid, slow-witted.
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
a1668 W. Davenant News from Plimouth iv, in Wks. (1673) 20/1 What a Leather-headed Dunce Am I, to ask thee.
leatherheadedness n. slow-wittedness.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > stupidity, dullness of intellect > [noun]
hardnessOE
stuntnessc1000
sotshipc1050
witlessnessa1100
sotheada1200
dullness1398
bluntness1483
slowness1495
grossnessa1530
stupidity?1541
assishness?1548
dastardness1552
lourderie1555
dastardliness1556
blockishness1561
doltishness1569
sottage1569
sheepishness1574
doltry1581
sottishness1589
doltage1593
dorbellism1593
grout-headry1600
opacity1611
duncery1615
dunstery1615
stupidness1619
hebetude1621
insulsity1623
unintelligence1634
obtuseness1648
jobbernowlism1652
dullery1653
non-intelligence1653
blockheadishness1656
crassness1664
blockheadedness1716
stolidness1727
blockheadism1753
numbskullity1779
nincompoophood1791
duncishness1805
numbskullism1806
foziness1821
noodledum1821
obtusity1823
soft-headedness1823
noodledom1827
duncehood1829
dunderheadedness1830
sumphishness1830
asininity1831
dunderheadism1836
stockishness1837
dullardness1840
fat-headedness1840
stupor1845
duncedom1847
misintelligence1848
nincompoopery1850
wooden-headedness1850
dumminess1852
jolterheadedness1852
ninnyship1852
donkeyism1855
dumbness1860
beef-wittedness1863
crassitude1865
donkeyhood1869
slow-wittedness1869
chuckle-headedness1880
leatherheadedness1880
pinheadedness1884
numbskulledness1885
donkeydom1889
thickheadedness1889
density1894
moronism1922
nitwittedness1931
nitwittery1931
noodleness1931
dopiness1942
squirrel-headedness1955
nincompoopism1957
dim-wittedness1960
clottishness1961
1880 ‘M. Twain’ Tramp Abroad xxii. 215 His leather-headedness is the point I make against him.
leather-hungry n. †(a) some variety of leather; (b) dialect skim-milk cheese.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > leather > [noun] > other types of leather
redlashOE
lasch14..
leather-hungry1478
spruce1570
chicken skina1685
bridle leather1794
russet1813
goose-skin1826
Levant1880
whang1883
Persian1889
nubuck1912
1478–9 in J. T. Fowler Extracts Acct. Rolls Abbey of Durham (1901) III. 646 Sol. pro 1 corrio de ledderhungry, 4s.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 238/2 Lether hungrye, cvir bovlly.
1804 R. Anderson et al. Ballads in Cumberland Dial. 103 Wi' scons, leather-hungry, and whusky.
leather-hunting n. Cricket slang (cf. sense 2c) fielding; esp. a colloquial term for fielding when the batter is hitting out as freely as he likes.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > fielding > [noun]
scouting1815
fielding1823
leather-hunting1865
1865 J. Pycroft Cricketana xiii. 224 I like science more than swiping, and enjoy ‘fielding’, but not leather hunting.
1886 G. Sutherland Australia xxvii. 178 Occasionally, in summer, there are days when..the pastime of ‘leather hunting’ becomes somewhat tiresome.
1896 Westm. Gaz. 19 June 7/1 The Westerners had a long day's leather hunting at Lord's yesterday.
1905 H. A. Vachell Hill xii. 254 And then, when his ‘eye’ is in, he will give the Etonians such leather-hunting as they never had before.
1934 W. J. Lewis Lang. Cricket 143 Leather-hunting, a jocular term for the exertions of the fieldsmen when the ball is hit freely to all parts of the field.
1970 Sunday Tel. 20 Dec. 21/7 The voracious Richards was in action once more and M.C.C. are assured of more leather-hunting today.
leather-hunter n.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > cricketer > [noun] > fielder
seeker-out1744
fieldsman1772
fieldman1773
field1816
fielder1824
scout1824
fag1825
watch1836
leather-hunter1944
1944 E. Blunden Cricket Country i. 19 The laugh at the unfortunate ‘leather-hunter’ on a hot chase.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > trader > traders or dealers in specific articles > [noun] > in skins or furs
leather-kersner1226
fellmonger1310
pelter1318
pelleter1332
peltier1389
peltmonger1565
furrier1575
pell-monger1676
north-wester1791
skinmana1821
pelterer1876
1226 in Gilbert Hist. & Munic. Doc. Ireland (Rolls) 83 Reginaldus le letherkersnere.
leather-leaf n. a low evergreen shrub of the northern U.S. ( Chamædaphne calyculata), with coriaceous leaves ( Treasury Bot. Suppl. 1874).
ΚΠ
1817 A. Eaton Man. Bot. 47 Andromeda..calyculata (leather-leaf).
1870 Amer. Naturalist 4 217 The Leather Leaf (Cassandra calyculata), and Andromeda polifolia, are both worthy of attention.
leather-man n. a leather-seller.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > selling > seller > sellers of specific things > [noun] > seller of leather
leather-seller?1518
leather-man1624
1624 in Gross Gild Merch. II. 12 There have hitherto been three Companies in the town, those of the Drapers, Leathermen, and Firemen.
leather medal n. originally U.S. a medal made of leather instead of metal, sarcastically suggested as an award.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > token of victory or supreme excellence > [noun] > award for merit > decoration > medal > worthless
leather medal1831
putty medal1893
1831 J. Motte in A. H. Cole Charleston goes to Harvard (1940) 89 He must be a cute chap, and deserves to have a leather medal.
1838 Harvardiana Jan. 147 A leather medal his reward should be, A leather medal and an LL.D.
1860 Richmond (Va.) Enquirer 20 Apr. 2/5 The individual who conceived the leather medal idea [for identifying dogs] deserves a leather medal himself.
1922 J. Joyce Ulysses iii. xviii. [Penelope] 716 He ought to get a leather medal with a putty rim for all the plans he invents.
leather-mill n. (see quot. 1728).
ΚΠ
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Mill Leather-Mills, are used to full, and prepare with Oil, the Skins of Stags, Buffaloes, Elks, Bullocks, &c. to make what they call Buff-Leather, for the use of Military-Men.
1895 Outing 26 362/1 There is also a flour and leather mill.
leather-mouthed adj. having a leather-like mouth (see quots.).
ΚΠ
1653 I. Walton Compl. Angler ii. 55 By a leather mouthed fish, I mean such as have their teeth in their throat, as the Chub or Cheven, and so the Barbel [etc.] . View more context for this quotation
a1722 E. Lisle Observ. Husb. (1757) II. 155 I told him the ewes were leather-mouthed with thick lips.
1833 J. Rennie Alphabet Sci. Angling 9 Such fishes as have teeth thus placed far back upon the palate and upper part of the throat while they want them in their jaws, are termed by anglers leather-mouthed.
leather-paper n. paper having a surface resembling that of leather.
ΚΠ
1890 A. Hosie Three Years W. China 153 That famous tough paper which..is wrongly called ‘leather’ paper. The mistake is pardonable, for the character which means ‘leather’ also means ‘bark’. The paper is made from the fibrous inner bark of the Broussonetia papyrifera.
leather-plant n. a composite plant of the genus Celmisia, a native of New Zealand ( Treasury Bot. Suppl. 1874).
Leather-Stocking n. [ < a character portrayed by J. F. Cooper] a North American frontiersman ; also attributive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > people > nations > native or inhabitant of America > native or inhabitant of North America > [noun] > frontiersman
Leather-Stocking1823
1823 J. F. Cooper Pioneers I. i. 18 His limbs were guarded with long leggings of the same material as the moccasins, which gartering over the knees of his tarnished buck-skin breeches, had obtained for him, among the settlers, the nick name of Leather-stocking.]
1823 J. F. Cooper Pioneers I. i. 11 The Leather-stocking has put his hounds into the hills this clear day.
1831 M. Holley Texas (1833) v. 43 The character of Leather Stocking, is not uncommon in Texas... The dress of these hunters is usually of deerskin. Hence the appropriate name Leather Stocking. Their generic name..is Frontiers-men.
1848 in D. Drake Pioneer Life Kentucky viii. 214 He had nearly all his life been a great hunter—was in fact a large, coarse Leather Stocking.
1909 Daily Chron. 1 July 7/3 With most birds, you must make your approach with all the art of a leatherstocking.
1965 Eng. Stud. 46 313 In this book Cooper draws repeated parallels between the Leather-stocking hero and Moses.
leather tortoise n. = leather-back n.
ΚΠ
1811 Niles' Weekly Reg. 19 Oct. 119/1 It is a Testudo Cariaria [sic] or Leather Tortoise.
leather-turtle n. = leather-back n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > reptiles > order Chelonia (turtles and tortoises) > [noun] > suborder Cryptodira > family Dermochelidae > member of (leather-back)
sea-turtlec1612
trunk-turtle1697
leather-back1855
leathery turtle1875
luth1883
trunk-back1883
leather-turtle1884
1884 G. B. Goode Rev. Fishery Industries U.S. i. 147 The so-called ‘Leather Turtle’, or ‘Luth’, or ‘Trunk Turtle’.
leather-wing n. a name for a bat.
ΚΠ
1851 P. H. Gosse Naturalist's Sojourn Jamaica 298 The little nimble Leather-wings pursue their giddy play in security.
leather-wood n. (a) a North American shrub of the genus Dirca, with a very tough bark; (b) a Tasmanian wood of a pale reddish mahogany colour, Eucryphia billardieri (Morris).
ΚΠ
1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. App. 317 Leather-wood, Dirca.
1882 Garden 8 Apr. 232/3 The Leather-wood..now in flower, though not showy, is interesting.
Draft additions 1997
Clothing made wholly or partly of leather, esp. when worn as part of a style of dressing intended to suggest strong masculinity (originally associated with bikers, and later with homosexual men); often with erotic or fetishistic overtones, and hence also used euphemistically of sado-masochistic desires or practices. See also sense Additions below.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > [noun] > made from specific material > leather
leathers1962
leather1966
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > types of sexual behaviour > [noun] > sexual fetishism > specific
rubber fetishism1930
leather1966
1966 Realist May 19/3 Remember the S-M ads: ‘seeks discipline’, ‘seeks uniforms’, ‘seeks leather and rubber’.
1972 B. Rodgers Queens' Vernacular 124 When he takes his leather off he also removes his masculinity.
1985 J. Epstein in D. J. Enright Fair of Speech 69 I take it to be indisputably a euphemism..when it is said of a homosexual man who takes part in sado-masochistic activity that he is ‘into leather’.
1991 Pink Paper 30 Mar. 18/2 (advt.) Attractive, passive, slim, exhibitionist guy, 30, likes minimal clothing, leather, toys.
Draft additions 1997
Applied attributively to people who frequently wear leather clothing, esp. (originally) bikers and (in later use) homosexual people, and to their subculture, meeting-places, etc.; esp. in leather bar, leather boy, leather man. Cf. leather-man n. at Compounds 3 above.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > wearing clothing > [adjective] > wearing specific material
woolwardc1315
under line (occasionally in line)c1330
fox-furred1592
furred1592
tuftaffeta1598
tissued?16..
satin1603
silk1603
russet1604
tuftaffety1612
plush1615
sericated1623
sheepskinned1628
silken1640
lawny1647
plushed1650
satined1652
harden1654
sackclotheda1656
bearskinned1694
well-furred?1707
furry1717
brocaded1767
flannelled1784
lawned1798
buckskinned1829
corduroyed1832
silked1837
silkened1841
friezy1849
fustianed1849
velveted1850
buffed1863
buckramed1880
craped1880
crapy1891
velveteened1896
mohaired1914
tweeded1921
tweedy1923
leather1961
society > travel > transport > motorcycling > [noun] > motorcyclist
autocyclist1899
motorcyclist1900
motor bicyclist1908
leather man1961
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > wearing clothing > [noun] > wearing clothing made of specific material > one who
tuftaffetya1625
velvet1783
pepper-and-salt1900
leather man1961
the world > food and drink > drink > drinking > drinking place > [noun] > tap-room or bar > other bars
public bar1654
American bar1856
wine room1865
last chance saloon1869
four-ale1883
private bar1892
saloon bar1902
cocktail bar1908
cocktail lounge1934
porter bar1935
lounge bar1937
wine bar1938
dive bar1940
gay bar1947
open bar1947
piano bar1947
sherry-bar1951
public1957
leather bar1961
private1963
ouzeri1964
karaoke bar1977
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual orientation > homosexuality > [noun] > a homosexual person > male
badlingeOE
nan1670
molly1708
Miss Molly1754
Miss Nancy1824
molly mop1829
poof1833
Margery?c1855
Mary Ann1868
pretty-boy1881
cocksucker1885
poofter1889
queer1894
fruit1895
fairy1896
homosexualist1898
puff1902
pussy1904
nance1910
quean1910
girl1912
faggot1913
mouser1914
queen1919
fag1921
gay boy1921
maricon1921
pie-face1922
bitch1923
Jessie1923
tapette1923
pansy1926
nancy boy1927
nelly1931
femme1932
ponce1932
punk1933
queerie1933
gobbler1934
jocker1935
queenie1935
iron1936
freak1941
swish1941
flit1942
tonk1943
wonk1945
mother1947
fruitcake1952
Mary1953
twink1953
swishy1959
limp wrist1960
arse bandit1961
leather man1961
booty bandit1962
ginger beer1964
bummer1965
poofteroo1966
shirtlifter1966
battyman1967
dick-sucker1968
mo1968
a friend of Dorothy1972
shim1973
gaylord1976
twinkie1977
woofter1977
bender1986
knob jockey1989
batty boy1992
cake boy1992
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > dwelling place or abode > place of resort > [noun] > place of assembly > for those who wear leather
leather bar1961
society > travel > transport > motorcycling > [adjective] > motorcyclist
leather1990
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual orientation > homosexuality > [adjective] > homosexual
inverted1870
Uranian1883
homosexual1892
homogenic1894
camp1910
homosex1913
queer1914
homoerotic1915
homosexualist1920
homo1923
faggoty1928
tapette1930
fag1932
gay1934
so1937
same-sex1938
faggy1949
ginger beer1959
that waya1960
that way inclineda1960
ginger1965
minty1965
pink1972
leather1990
1961 ‘E. George’ (title) The leather boys.
1966 Listener 3 Mar. 308/1 Flesh-eating ‘leather-boys’ (on their motor-bicycles)..wear a uniform; encased from head to foot in black leather, they may be individually..anonymous.
1977 Gay News 7 Apr. 20/2 I know leathermen are supposed to have fantasies, but I don't.
1978 Washington Post 4 Sept. b3/1 The Eagle, a ‘leather’ gay bar on Washington's Ninth Street NW.
1982 E. Gregersen Sexual Pract. xix. 292/3 Leather bars, now commonplace in large metropolitan centers in the United States, England and Germany, were unknown before the 1950s.
1986 P. Theroux O-zone xxvii. 316 She saw someone being screamed at—another gang of leather boys howling at a cornered Asian.
1990 Gay Times Dec. (Centre section) 11/1 Leather biker seeks active, dominant type,..straight looking mates..for raunchy times.
1991 Advocate 15 Jan. 10/3 A threatened picket by outraged leathermen and leather dykes.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1902; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
leatherv.
/ˈlɛðə/, U.S. /ˈlɛðər/ 1. transitive. To cover or arm with leather.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > working with specific materials > working with skins > work with skins [verb (transitive)] > cover with leather
leathera1250
case1582
a1250 (?a1200) [implied in: Ancrene Riwle (Nero) (1952) 191 Ne ne beate ou þer mide. ne mid schurge i leðered ne i leaded. (at leathered adj. a)].
c1540 (?a1400) [implied in: Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 85v Iche shalke hade a shild shapyn of tre Wele leddrit o lofte. (at leathered adj. a)].
1564–5 Acc. in R. Willis & J. W. Clark Archit. Hist. Univ. Cambr. (1886) III. 362 For mending and newe lethering the Colledge Quisshens vs.
a1774 O. Goldsmith Surv. Exper. Philos. (1776) II. 52 The piston or sucker is leathered so tight as to fit the barrel exactly.
1794 D. Steel Elements & Pract. Rigging & Seamanship I. 27 The round holes of all caps are leathered.
1830 H. Alford Jrnl. 2 July in Life, Jrnls. & Lett. (1873) 51 Cleaned, new-leathered, and tuned the dining-room piano.
1850 F. Parks Wanderings of Pilgrim I. 135 My husband used to cut it up to leather the tips of billiard cues.
2.
a. To beat with a leathern thong; hence gen. to beat, thrash.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > corporal punishment > administer corporal punishment [verb (transitive)] > with strap or thong
belt1568
leathera1630
strappado1655
stirrup1735
thong1746
strap1832
a1630 Faithful Friends (1975) ii. iii. 1474 I am mad..I shall Lether em.
1764 S. Foote Mayor of Garret i. 24 I would so swinge and leather my lambkin.
1815 Sporting Mag. 45 161 Sam leather'd his man, and the mob were amazed.
1860 ‘G. Eliot’ Mill on Floss I. i. v. 56 I gave Spouncer a black eye..that's what he got by wanting to leather me.
1882 Ld. Tennyson Promise of May ii, in Wks. (1889) 793/1 I'd like to leather 'im black and blue.
b. figurative. intransitive. To work hard; with away, on.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > working > [verb (intransitive)] > work hard or toil
workeOE
swingc1000
to the boneOE
labourc1390
toilc1400
drevyll?1518
drudge1548
droy1576
droil1591
to tug at the (an) oar1612
to stand to it1632
rudge1676
slave1707
to work like a beaver1741
to hold (also keep, bring, put) one's nose to the grindstone1828
to feague it away1829
to work like a nigger1836
delve1838
slave1852
leather1863
to sweat one's guts out1890
hunker1903
to sweat (also work) one's guts out1932
to eat (also work) like a horse1937
beaver1946
to work like a drover's dog1952
to get one's nose down (to)1962
1863 E. Farmer Scrap Bk. (ed. 3) 44 How they leather'd away at their job.
1893 S. R. Crockett Stickit Minister 239 So their minister simply kept leathering on at the fundamentals.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1902; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.c1000
v.a1250