rainproofadj.n.
/ˈreɪnpruːf/, U.S. /ˈreɪnˌpruf/ A. adj.
Impervious to or unaffected by rain. Also in figurative context.
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the world > matter > liquid > dryness > [adjective] > waterproof or watertight > impervious to rain
rainproofa1668
showerproof1820
a1668 T. St. Nicholas in MS BUL 5/iv/23 (Archives, Univ. Birmingham Libr.) l. 22 With rain-proof coats of good, grey Kentish buff.
1793 R. Heron Observ. Journey Western Counties Scotl. I. 223 The thatched roof was not rain-proof; and all the rafters were dropping an inky fluid.
1803 Times 10 Nov. 1/3 (advt.) All kinds of Cloths, Coatings, &c. are made Rain-proof, without the smallest alteration, in quality or appearance.
1834 T. Carlyle Sartor Resartus ii. vii. 59/1 Their old Temples..for long have not been rainproof.
1855 W. Whitman Leaves of Grass 51 My signs are a rain-proof coat and good shoes and a staff cut from the woods.
1898 Cosmopolitan July 259/1 Through this hole the man puts his head, the blanket serving as a rain-proof cloak.
1940 ‘Gun Buster’ Return via Dunkirk ii. xx. 250 The A.C.P.O. and I had indulged ourselves in two expensive rain-proof map-cases.
1967 N. Freeling Strike Out 34 The figure wears a black track~suit now gone greenish, with khaki rainproof trousers and an English suède windcheater.
1977 M. Kenyon Rapist xii. 165 George in rainproof hat.
1989 Woman's Realm 11 Apr. 24/1 What a useful total weedkiller this is! Fast acting, long lasting and rain-proof.
B. n.
A rainproof garment, esp. a raincoat.
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the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > [noun] > manufactured in specific way > water or wind-proofed > article of
waterproof1763
mackintosh1836
dare-all1840
mucking-togs1842
dicky1883
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showerproof1887
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windproof1937
rain mac1966
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1890 San Antonio (Texas) Daily Light 21 July (advt.) 1 bdl 3 Rain Proofs.
1913 D. H. Lawrence Sons & Lovers xii. 311 He threw down his rainproof and waved her to come.
1923 W. Deeping Secret Sanctuary xiii. 136 I was a wiser virgin than you. I did take a rainproof with me.
1965 D. Francis For Kicks ii. 29 Everything from under-clothes to washing things, jodhpur boots to rainproof, jeans to pyjamas.
1979 M. Tripp Cruel Victim ii. 24 Taking off a pink rainproof and hanging it behind the door.
1988 Independent 24 Sept. 32/8 Today the tourists..are clad not in appalling checks but in Day-Glo orange rainproofs.
Derivatives
ˈrain-proofed adj. [after waterproofed adj.] (a) made impervious to rain; (b) wearing a rainproof.
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1892 Manitoba Daily Free Press 27 Aug. 4/5 (advt.) A porous and comfortable Rigby rain proofed garment.
1902 Daily Chron. 7 Jan. 6/3 The greatcoat is to be made of rain~proofed drab-mixture cloth.
1930 Nature Mag. Mar. 197/3 (advt.) Rainproofed wind-breaker-fabric cover.
1960 News Chron. 6 May 8/4 His identically rainproofed escorts prepare to shoot him.
2003 National Post (Canada) 29 Mar. a16/1 (advt.) Arnold Brant's cream-coloured car coat in rain-proofed cotton with matching bucket hat.
ˈrainproofer n. rare (a) a manufacturer of rainproof materials; (b) an object designed to protect a person from the rain, such as a rain hat or umbrella.
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1908 Ladies' Field 25 July p. iii/3 (advt.) J. W. Elvery & Co., waterproofers and rain~proofers,..London, W.
1919 Times 21 May 21/4 Besides being rubberproofers and rainproofers on a large scale, the company weave cotton, woollen and worsted piece goods.
1948 Charleston (W. Va.) Daily Mail 9 Dec. 17 (advt.) 16 Rib rain-proofers with assorted selection of handles.
1977 Syracuse (N.Y.) Herald-Jrnl. 2 Mar. 2 (advt.) Super rainproofers that will take you out of the rain and into Spring.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2008; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.n.a1668