wardroben.
/ˈwɔːdrəʊb/, U.S. /ˈwɔrˌdroʊb/ a. A privy; a latrine. Obsolete (historical in later use).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > sanitation > privy or latrine > [noun]
gongOE
privy?c1225
room-housec1275
chamber foreignc1300
wardrobea1325
privy chamberc1325
foreignc1390
siegec1400
stool1410
jakes1432
house of easementa1438
kocayc1440
siege-hole1440
siege-house1440
privy house1463
withdraught1493
draught1530
shield1535
bench-hole1542
common house1542
stool1542
jakes house1547
boggard1552
house of office?1560
purging place1577
little house1579
issue1588
Ajax1596
draught-house1597
private1600
necessary house1612
vault1617
longhouse1622
latrine1623
necessary1633
commonsa1641
gingerbread officea1643
boghouse1644
cloaca1645
passage-house1646
retreat1653
shithouse1659
closet of ease1662
garderobe1680
backside1704
office1727
bog?1731
house of ease1734
cuz-john1735
easing-chair1771
backhouse1800
outhouse1819
netty1825
petty1848
seat of ease1850
closet1869
bathroom1883
crapper1927
lat1927
shouse1941
biffy1942
shitholec1947
toot1965
shitter1967
woodshed1974
a1325 St. Hilary (Corpus Cambr.) l. 58 in C. D'Evelyn & A. J. Mill S. Eng. Legendary (1956) 7 (MED) Þis pope com a neode on þat he moste..Do his neode at warderop.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 370) (1850) 4 Kings x. 27 Thei distroyeden the hous of Baal, and thei maaden for it waardropis [a1382 Bodl. 959 wardrobis; a1425 L.V. priuyes; L. latrinas] vnto this day.
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Prioress's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 120 I seye that in a wordrobe they hym threwe Wher as thise Iewes purgen hir entraille.
a1425 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 1900) (1879) VII. 509 At Oxenford, whanne Edmund was at wardrobe to clense his wombe..Edricus was privylich hidde under the place and stiked the kyng upwards that sate on the sege to do his privy nede.
a1500 Nominale (Harl. 1002) f. 145 Cloaca, a pryvaye or wardrope.
1847 J. O. Halliwell Dict. Archaic & Provinc. Words II Wardrope, a house of office.
b. The excrement of the badger. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > family Mustelidae (weasel, marten, otter, or badger) > [noun] > genus Meles (badger) > excrement
wardrobea1425
a1425 Edward, Duke of York Master of Game (Digby) xxiv. 84 Of hares and of conynges he shall say þei croteth, and of þe fox wagynge, of þe grey þe warderobe [c1425 Vesp. werderobe].
1847 J. O. Halliwell Dict. Archaic & Provinc. Words II Warderebe, the dung of the badger.
2. † a. A private room or chamber; esp. a sleeping apartment. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > room > types of room generally > [noun] > private or inner room
bowerc1000
chamber?c1225
privy chambera1382
closeta1387
closera1400
conclavea1400
wardrobea1400
cell?1440
garderobe?c1450
retreatc1500
parlour1561
cabinet1565
cabin1594
in-room?1615
recamera1622
sanctum sanctorum1707
adytum1800
snuggery1812
sulking-room1816
sanctum1819
anderoon1840
inner sanctum1843
thalamus1850
growlery1853
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > room > room by type of use > [noun] > bedroom
clevec825
bedchamberc1390
wardrobea1400
kuchiez kotec1400
garderobe?c1450
cubicle1483
pallet chambera1535
bed-place1566
kitchen chamber1573
bedroom1600
cubiculoa1616
lodginga1616
lodging-room1615
bower1674
ruelle1676
lodging-chambera1684
common chamber1684
sleeping-room1699
hall-bedroom1738
berth1806
bunk-room1855
bed-house1881
cubicule1887
bedder1897
bed1926
sleeping-platform1935
roomette1937
single1963
maid-room1992
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 1686 [In the Ark] A hous als in to drink and ete And wardropp þat þou noght for-get.
?c1450 tr. Bk. Knight of La Tour Landry (1906) 8 As sone as she had herde a litell masse..she come into the warderobe to ete browesse or sum other mete.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xxvii. 507 Gyomar ne departed neuer but a-bode spekynge with Morgain..in a wardrope vnder the paleys, where she wrought with silke and golde.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. ccxxviiv Kyng Lewes..withdrew him self into hys warderobe, & sending for the English Herault, sayd to hym [etc.].
1571 G. Buchanan Admonitioun Trew Lordis sig. B 3v This is nouther dremit in wardrop, nor hard throw a boir, bot ane trew narratiue.
1614 E. Grimeston tr. King Philip V in tr. P. Matthieu Hist. Lewis XI xi. 138 Wee therefore ordaine, and doe therewith especially charge our Chamberlaine, that no vnknowne person nor boy of poore estate enter into our Wardrope, nor lay their hand, nor bee at our bed making, and that they suffer not any strange sheetes to bee layd on.
1670 C. Cotton tr. G. Girard Hist. Life Duke of Espernon ii. vi. 254 The King without any motion was carried up in a Cloak, and laid upon the Bed in his Wardrobe.
1725 tr. A. R. Le Sage Gil Blas (ed. 2) III. ii. vi. 186 I lay in a Wardrobe near the Duke's Chamber.
b. A room used for storing clothing, and sometimes also armour and other valuable objects (cf. garderobe n. 1); esp. such a room adjoining a bedroom or sleeping apartment; a dressing room. Chiefly historical after 18th cent.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > room > room by type of use > [noun] > room for keeping clothes or dressing
wardrobec1440
garderobe?c1450
vestiaryc1450
vestuaryc1490
vestry1574
guarda-roba1602
dressing room1659
robe chamber1665
tire-room1681
robes-roomc1689
apodyteriuma1695
robing room1712
attiring-room1756
toilet1790
toilet chamber1798
toilet room1800
changing room1841
dressing shed1845
change room1886
c1440 (?a1400) Morte Arthure l. 901 Aftyre euesange sir Arthure hym se[l]fen Wente to hys wardrope and warpe of hys wedez, Armede hym in a acton [etc.].
a1475 J. Russell Bk. Nurture (Harl. 4011) in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 180 In þe warderobe ye must muche entende besily the robes to kepe well & also to brusche þem clenly.
1519 in C. Innes Registrum Episcopatus Aberdonensis (1845) II. 174 The chawmer abun þe wardrape with Item ane standing bed of aik wiþouit lofting.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. x. sig. K2v The third had of their wardrobe custody, In which were not rich tyres, nor garments gay,..But clothes meet to keepe keene cold away.
1596 W. Raleigh Discoverie Guiana (new ed.) 11 He had in his wardroppe hollow statues of golde.
1631 T. May tr. J. Barclay Mirrour of Mindes i. 170 His Lord laughing heartily, commanded a furrd gowne to bee brought out of his wardrope, and put vpon him.
a1660 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1645 (1955) II. 310 In the Wardrobe above they shewd us incomparab<l>y wrought plate, porcelan, [etc.].
1717 M. Prior Dove xxv Her Keys He takes; her Doors unlocks; Thro' Wardrobe, and thro' Closet bounces.
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth I. vi. 123 With this enviable sleeping apartment..corresponded two wardrobes, or dressing-rooms as they are now termed.
1859 R. Piddington Last of Cavaliers I. xvii. 230 The general scene of their conversations..was Lady Flora's dressing-room, or wardrobe as it was then called. This apartment was divided on the inside from her sleeping-chamber by three or four steps.
1936 T. F. Tout Place of Reign Edward II in Eng. Hist. (rev. ed.) ii. 64 Now the king's chamber and wardrobe mean, of course, the place where the king slept, and the adjacent ante-room where he hung up his clothes.
1992 C. Hardyment Home Comfort (1997) ii. 37 Amongst the servants' rooms in the attic story is the footmen's liveryroom, a central wardrobe where the liveries for the appropriate male servants were stored and could be brought for cleaning and minor repairs.
c. Theatre. Cf. sense 5b.
(a) A room (esp. in a theatre) in which costumes and associated props are stored, prepared, or maintained.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > other parts of theatre > [noun] > wardrobe room
wardrobe1711
wardrobe room1809
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 44. ¶5 It is indeed very odd..to observe in the Ward-robe of the Play-house several Daggers, Poniards, Wheels, Bowls for Poison.
1761 B. Victor Hist. Theatres London & Dublin I. 123 The young Gentleman..was taken up for..the Mischief done at the Theatre in the Dressing-Rooms and Wardrobe.
1855 Weekly Chron. 18 Aug. 518/2 The dress was made in the wardrobe of the theatre.
1867 Chambers's Encycl. IX. 390/1 There are also numerous apartments required in connection with the stage..—such as..the wardrobe, in which the costumes are kept; furniture stores, scene stores.
1911 A. H. Calvert Sixty-eight Years on Stage iv. 68 At last the room which was to be the wardrobe was available, and some eighteen or twenty women..started upon the costumes.
1978 Sandusky (Ohio) Reg. 1 Nov. b1/1 There are more than 400 costumes in the wardrobe.
2008 S. Armitage Gig (2009) 32 We'd rummaged around in the under-stage wardrobe of the village am-dram society, and went to the gig dressed in military uniform.
(b) Without the. The people responsible for providing or maintaining costumes for a theatre, film company, television studio, etc.; the costume department.
ΚΠ
1907 W. Archer & H. G. Barker National Theatre Pref. p. x And why should not a chief of wardrobe be found (what a figure of imposing mien the title suggests!) who could also keep his expenditure within what a mere man may consider the bounds of reason?
1938 Evening Tribune (Albert Lea, Minnesota) 1 July 5/5 It's up to ‘wardrobe’ to replace an actor's personal garments damaged in film use.
1947 C. Beaton Diary May in Self Portrait with Friends (1979) xvi. 192 This criticism..is not considered tactful by ‘Wardrobe’ who..has now the impossible task of re-fitting all these costumes.
2006 Strategy July 77 The pilot's..guest host..forced by wardrobe to choose between the ‘slutty’ dress and the ‘really slutty’ dress.
3. English History. Frequently with capital initial. An office or department of the royal household responsible for supplying and maintaining clothing, armour, furnishings, and other valuable goods and objects belonging to the monarch or relating to the running of the royal household; a similar department in the household of another member of the royal family, a noble, etc. Also: a location used to store such goods (often spec. with reference to the Great Wardrobe: see Great Wardrobe n. at great adj., n., adv., and int. Compounds 1e); the contents of this. Frequently in the titles of jobs or positions (cf. Master of the Great Wardrobe n. at master n.1 23a(f), Master of the Wardrobe n. at master n.1 23a(m), yeoman of the wardrobe n. at yeoman n. Compounds 3a). chiefly historical after 18th cent.The Wardrobe of the English monarch included removing wardrobes which travelled with the Court, standing wardrobes permanently located at various royal residences, and several other subsidiary departments. In the 13th and 14th centuries the household wardrobe, responsible for the monarch's personal expenditure, played a significant financial and administrative role in the running of the state. At this date it was distinct from the great wardrobe (Great Wardrobe n. at great adj., n., adv., and int. Compounds 1e), a specialized department for the purchase, storage and supply of non-perishable commodities for the royal household, but the two were combined at the end of the 14th cent and the wardrobe's function restricted to providing for the daily needs of the household. The wardrobe and its associated posts were abolished in 1782 and its duties transferred to the Lord Chamberlain.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > [noun] > one in charge of wardrobe > office or department of royal or noble household
wardrobe1424
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > [noun] > one in charge of wardrobe > office or department of royal or noble household > types of
wardrobe1424
1424 in R. W. Chambers & M. Daunt Bk. London Eng. (1931) 184 (MED) An servant..dwelleþ with Baldok þe wexchaundeler ageyns þe warderope of þe kynges beside Baynerdescastell.
1433 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. July 1433 §24. m. 11 In paiement and departyng oute of youre revenue, y preferre youre houshold, youre wardrobe, and your necessarie werkes.
1449–50 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. Nov. 1449 §53. m. 14 Oure servaunt Richard Wadnyng, grome of oure warderobe of bedds.
in S. Bentley Excerpta Hist. (1833) 227 (MED) The sayd Princesse went from a place in London callid the Kynges Wardrape..toward her mariage.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 237 Ȝour hienes can nocht gett ane meter To keip ȝour wardrope, nor discreter To rewle ȝour robbis and dres the sam.
c1550 (?a1400) in Coll. Ordinances Royal Househ. (Harl. 782) (1790) 4 (MED) Officers and mynysteres of the howse with their retinewe: Marshalles of the hall..Standerd Berer of the wardrobe.
1553 in H. Littlehales Medieval Rec. London City Church (1905) 55 These parselles of ornamenttes..were Receued of Arthur Stovrton at ye Qvenes wardroppe at westminster.
1633 A. Munday et al. Stow's Surv. of London (new ed.) 71/2 In Wine, Waxe, Spices, Clothes, Furs, and other things for the Countesses Wardrobe, an hundred fifty foure pounds, seven shillings, foure pence, halfe penny.
1642 in W. H. Black Docquets Lett. Patent at Oxf. (1837) 336 The Office of Keeper of his Majesties standinge Wardrobe within the Castle of Windsor.
1684 E. Chamberlayne Angliæ Notitia: 1st Pt. (ed. 15) i. 177 There is the Removing Wardrobe, which always attends upon the Person of the King.
1740 London Evening-Post 11 Nov. A Fire broke out in the Laundry of the Countess of Yarmouth, in the Stable-Yard, St. James's, which burnt into the Removing Wardrobe adjoining.
1818 G. Chalmers Life Mary Q. Scots I. iv. 84 After Huntley's fall, his household furniture was brought into the Queen's wardrobe.
1882 A. C. Ewald Stories from State Papers 23 A general search in the neighbourhood for certain stuffs belonging to the King's wardrobe.
1920 T. F. Tout Chapters Admin. Hist. Mediaeval Eng. I. vi. 256 Wardrobes for the king's children begin with the wardrobe for the future Edward I.
1941 Eng. Hist. Rev. 56 448 The account was to go..not to the exchequer but to the wardrobe for audit.
1999 R. Jones Walking Haunted London 121 The rectory, which was built in 1766 on the site of the King's Wardrobe.
2001 M. Kowaleski Havener's Acct. Earldom & Duchy Cornwall 15 Sir William de Northwell, keeper of the duke's wardrobe, ordered the havener to deliver a whale taken in Mount's Bay directly to the duke's household.
4. A large cupboard or cabinet for storing clothes or other linen; (now esp.) a tall cupboard or closet, typically located in a bedroom, and often fitted with a rail from which clothing may be suspended on hangers. Also figurative.In later use also with modifying word specifying the form or type of wardrobe, as built-in wardrobe, fitted wardrobe, walk-in wardrobe, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > cupboard or cabinet > [noun] > for clothes
wardrobe1440
vestiary1656
clothes-press1714
hanging-press1743
hanging wardrobe1896
chifforobe1908
robe1926
compactum1948
Promptorium Parvulorum (Harl. 221) 516 Warde rope, of clothys, vestiaria, zaberna vel zabanta.
1578 T. Cooper Thesaurus (new ed.) at Synthesis Chaunge of apparell in a presse or warderobe.
1589 R. Humpston Serm. preached at Reyfham sig. C6v The shops sorted with wares, and the warehouse with store, the tables with dainties, the Cubbords with plate, the Wardrobes with sutes.
1665 R. Brathwait Comment Two Tales Chaucer 10 His Press or Wardrobe, where his Cloaths were curiously folded.
1754 Connoisseur No. 36. ⁋7 France appears to be the wardrobe of the world.
1780 C. Powys Diary in Passages from Diaries Mrs. Powys (1899) 202 My lady's dressing-room octagon, the corners fitted up with the cleverest wardrobes in inlaid woods.
1833 J. C. Loudon Encycl. Cottage Archit. §626 Wardrobes are as essential in a bed-room, as a dresser is in a cottager's kitchen.
1864 M. E. Braddon Doctor's Wife I. x. 256 A lumbering old wardrobe—or press, as it was called—of painted wood.
1879 Manufacturer & Builder Sept. 212/2 A built-in wardrobe, with drawers in the lower part..will supply accommodation for the table and house linen.
1912 J. Joyce Let. 11 Sept. (1966) II. 319 My evening suit is in the lower drawer of the wardrobe.
1930 Shipbuilding & Shipping Rec. 1 Jan. 22/2 Hotels of the de-luxe type have adopted the fitted wardrobe.
1950 C. S. Lewis Lion, Witch & Wardrobe i. 11 They looked into a room that was quite empty except for one big wardrobe; the sort that has a looking-glass in the door.
2008 S. Toltz Fraction of Whole iv. 446 Anouk was in her walk-in wardrobe getting changed.
5.
a. A collection or supply of clothing; esp. the clothing belonging to a particular person. Also figurative.
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the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > [noun] > stock of
wardrobe1462
1462 J. Paston Inventory in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 109 As for an jnuentary of the warderobe and of beddyng [and] all stuffe of howsold remaynyng at Caster, the seid Paston hath no very knowlech.
a1475 Bk. Curtasye (Sloane 1986) l. 565 in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 318 The chaunceler answeres for hor clothyng, For ȝomen, faukeners, and hor horsyng, For his wardrop and wages also.
1592 Greenes Groats-worth of Witte sig. B2 When I came first to this Citie my whole wardrop was onely a sute of white sheepe skins.
1601 B. Jonson Fountaine of Selfe-love ii. i. sig. Dv If he be furnishd with supplies for the retiring of his olde Ward-robe from pawne. View more context for this quotation
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. vii. 332 It often hapneth; that a foule and deformed carkasse hath a faire and rich wardrope.
1638 J. Milton Lycidas in Obsequies 21 in Justa Edouardo King As killing as..frost to flowers that their gay wardrobe wear, When first the white-thorn blowes.
a1727 I. Newton Chronol. Anc. Kingdoms Amended (1728) v. 339 Officers who took care of the Perfume, the Veil, and the Wardrobe of the Priests.
1762 O. Goldsmith Citizen of World I. 272 With her scanty wardrobe, packed up in a wallet, she set out on her journey on foot.
1834 J. W. Carlyle Let. to Mrs. Carlyle, Sen. 21 Nov. in Lett. & Mem. (1883) I. 10 The weather is grown horribly cold, and I am chiefly intent, at present, on getting my winter wardrobe into order.
1870 M. Bridgman Robert Lynne II. iii. 55 He insisted on his wife re-marking the whole of the infantile wardrobe.
1896 Daily Rev. (Decatur, Illinois) 30 Aug. Of all the dainty, lovely details of the summer's wardrobe there is nothing daintier and more lovely than the queen's lace with which she trims her verdant garments.
1925 Sears, Roebuck Catal. Spring–Summer 28/2 A neat, trim gingham house or porch frock is an asset to every woman's wardrobe.
1953 B. Pym Jane & Prudence xi. 112 Jessie had privately earmarked one or two garments for herself and planned to alter them suitably and add them to her wardrobe.
1972 T. Ardies This Suitcase ix. 85 Someone had probably gone to thrift stores to put together his wardrobe... Even his socks were the wrong size.
2007 New Republic 22 Oct. 21/3 Her wardrobe has grown more muted and less revealing.
b. Theatre. The costumes belonging to or associated with a particular theatre, company, production, performer, etc. Cf. sense 2c.
ΚΠ
1666 S. Pepys Diary 19 Mar. (1972) VII. 77 To see their clothes..and what a mixture of things there was, here a wooden-leg, there a ruff..would make a man split himself to see with laughing—and perticularly Lacys wardrobe, and Shotrell's.
1735 Articles Impeachment by Inhabitants Dublin (single sheet) The better to enable himself to effect his base Designs, he secured the Wardrobe of the said Theatre.
1807 Monthly Mag. Nov. 329/1 A merchant..purchased the patent, the theatre itself, the wardrobe, together with all the scenery and decorations..and thus became the sole proprietor.
1876 D. Cook Bk. Play II. xv. 244 The wardrobe of Munden, the comedian, contained a black Genoa velvet coat.
1948 Billboard 8 May 66/2 The wire act..boasts a good-looking wardrobe in addition to a snappy routine.
2005 Post-Standard (Syracuse, N.Y.) 8 July b2/1 His accent is quite good, and he wears the period wardrobe convincingly.
6.
a. figurative and in figurative contexts. A store; a collection of items available for use.Frequently in extended metaphors.
ΚΠ
1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer ii. f. cccxlv Jupyter hath in his warderobe bothe garmentes of ioye and of sorowe.
1592 N. Breton Pilgrimage to Paradise sig. A4v Came Flora forth..Laying abroad the wardrope of her wealth, Her fairest flowers.
1605 1st Pt. Jeronimo sig. E3v Now death..crams his store house to the top with bloud, Might I now and Andrea in one fight, Make vp thy wardroope Richer by a knight.
1633 S. Marmion Fine Compan. iii. iii A soule..Wherein is lockt the wardrope of all vertues.
1693 T. Rymer Short View Trag. sig. K6v We have heard of Fortunatus his Purse, and of the Invisible Cloak, long ago worn threadbare, and stow'd up in the Wardrobe of obsolete Romances.
1783 Gentleman's Mag. Nov. 971/2 He said, he did not come to that House, dressed in a rich wardrobe of words, to delude the people.
1790 E. Burke in Refl. Revol. in France 114 All the superadded ideas, furnished from the wardrobe of a moral imagination,..necessary to cover the defects of our naked shivering nature.
1821 C. Lamb in London Mag. Aug. 152/2 Their intellectual wardrobe (to confess fairly) has few whole pieces in it.
1856 R. W. Emerson Eng. Traits xiv. 245 New and gigantic thoughts which cannot dress themselves out of any old wardrobe of the past.
1940 W. H. Auden Another Time 117 Able to approach the future as a friend without a wardrobe of excuses.
1969 Times 4 Nov. 9/6 (advt.) A new wardrobe of extraordinary baths, each one designed to give your body a new beauty experience.
2011 C. McWilliam What to look for in Winter 343 They come straight from my library of predictable attachments and concerns, my usual wardrobe of metaphors.
b. Sailing. The collection of sails carried on board a ship.
ΚΠ
1914 Washington Post 19 July (Miscellany section) 1/5 The Resolute is pleased with her general wardrobe of sails, for she goes like a yacht that is proud of her clothes when they are skillfully draped by the devoted crew.
1958 Times 28 July 4/3 The famous sailmaking firm..made Sceptre's large wardrobe of sails.
1964 Pop. Boating July 14/2 Kurrewa has a limited wardrobe of sails as yet un-evaluated for varying wind strengths.
1980 Times 8 Sept. 7/2 A few more sails have since been added to her wardrobe.
1994 C. McWilliam Debatable Land (1995) i. 3 Ardent Spirit's wardrobe of sail was kept in a bin just astern of her main mast, each heavy-sided billowing sail folded down to tameness.
2005 P. Hahne Sail Trim 70/1 The sail wardrobe might include six different jibs and genoas.
Compounds
C1. General attributive.
a. In sense 4.
wardrobe door
ΚΠ
1505 in J. B. Paul Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1901) III. 140 For ane lok to the wardrob dur in Linlithqw, xvj d.
1654 F. G. tr. ‘G. de Scudéry’ Artamenes III. vi. ii. 123 We saw the wardrobe dore open at the same time, and many men with drawne swords enter into the Chamber.
1768 G. Colman T. Harris Dissected 23 Mr. Harris then set his foot against the wardrobe-door, which being very slightly fastened, flew open.
1890 M. Sidney Adirondack Cabin xix. 286 The little Duke sprang up in a flash, and clutching the wardrobe door by a convenient projection, brought it to with a snap.
1950 C. S. Lewis Lion, Witch & Wardrobe ii. 27 She shut the wardrobe door tightly behind her, and looked around, panting for breath.
2008 P. Hensher Northern Clemency 445 She caught a terrible glimpse of herself in the long mirror inside the wardrobe door, hanging open.
wardrobe space n.
ΚΠ
1878 Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper 29 Dec. 8/3 Few ladies can afford the wardrobe space, or the money for a great variety of winter cloaks.
1948 Billboard 6 Mar. 65/4 The Deluxe Tandem..gives you electric refrigerator—hot water—toilet—spacious showers—plenty of wardrobe space.
2011 Herald Sun (Melbourne) (Nexis) 25 June 2 Clear a bit of wardrobe space for winter retail therapy.
b. In sense 5a.
wardrobe basic n.
ΚΠ
1938 San Antonio (Texas) Sunday Light 21 Aug. (Society section) 3/5 (advt.) A portrayal of some of those important wardrobe basics that you simply can't go back to college without.
1993 Canad. Living Jan. 111 (caption) Spring must-have—a clean-cut navy-and-white T-shirt, a wardrobe basic.
2006 Time Out N.Y. 18 May 52/4 Though WESC traffics mainly in minimalist wardrobe basics, the gear here is far from boring.
wardrobe essential n.
ΚΠ
1910 Oakland (Calif.) Tribune 14 Jan. 7/4 (advt.) Wardrobe essentials of the growing youth at comparatively small cost.
1916 Millinery Trade Rev. July 25 (heading) An autumn forecast of her wardrobe essentials in hats, costumes, furs & blouses.
2001 Daily Tel. 12 Apr. 5/1 Sales of the denim trousers, a wardrobe essential for much of the 1980s and 1990s, took a dive in 1997.
wardrobe staple n.
ΚΠ
1922 Iowa City Press-Citizen 30 Mar. 12/4 A raincoat is a wardrobe staple, something every woman should have.
1956 Morning Herald (Uniontown, Pa.) 3 Feb. 22/2 Cottons..now appear through every season as a wardrobe staple.
2014 Good Housek. Apr. 135/3 As the flat shoe is having a comeback..the ever-so-practical loafer could become a wardrobe staple.
c. With reference to individuals having responsibility for the organization or maintenance of clothing, etc., for a person or establishment; see also wardrobe master n. at Compounds 2, wardrobe mistress n. at Compounds 2.In early use frequently with reference to the royal wardrobe (sense 3); later more often in theatrical use (cf. sense 2c and Compounds 1d).
wardrobe keeper n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > [noun] > one in charge of wardrobe
wardrobe keeper1599
wardrobe man?a1600
wardrobe woman1755
wardrobe maid1797
1599 J. Minsheu Pleasant Dialogues Spanish & Eng. 7/2 in R. Percyvall & J. Minsheu Spanish Gram. He serueth me for steward of my house, for a keeper of my plate..wardrop keeper, page, and for lacquey.
?c1663 B. Whitelocke Diary (1990) 235 The Warderobe keeper of Windsor offered him some of the Kings hangings.
1764 D. E. Baker Compan. to Play-house II. at Betterton This Gentleman..had been Wardrobe-Keeper to the Theatre in Black-Friars.
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth II. iii. 51 The wardrobe keeper,..shall have orders to supply the suit which you have cast away in our service.
1938 H. Borust In Plain Clothes xii. 184 Scene shifters, ‘sparks’ (light men), wardrobe-keepers.
2005 Atlanta Jrnl.-Constitution (Nexis) 11 Aug. 8 je From her hairstylist to her manicurist, wardrobe keeper..and driver, all were focused in on the departure date to make sure every detail was addressed.
wardrobe man n.
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the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > [noun] > one in charge of wardrobe
wardrobe keeper1599
wardrobe man?a1600
wardrobe woman1755
wardrobe maid1797
?a1600 ( R. Sempill Legend Bischop St. Androis in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xlv. 387 The Bischop..Send for his wardrop man fre hand.
1667 S. Pepys Diary 2 Sept. (1974) VIII. 417 He swore..that the King his father would have hanged his wardrobe-man should he have been served so.
1833 H. Martineau Three Ages ii. 50 His wardrobeman had this morning lamented that the King had no handkerchiefs.
1910 World To-day July 714/2 The wardrobe men come in with arms full of costumes for the ‘entry’, dumping them on a long table in the center of the tent.
2014 R. Moore One Lucky Bastard i. 36 My wardrobe man had procured all manner of thermal underwear for me.
wardrobe maid n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > [noun] > one in charge of wardrobe
wardrobe keeper1599
wardrobe man?a1600
wardrobe woman1755
wardrobe maid1797
society > authority > subjection > service > servant > personal or domestic servant > attendant or personal servant > [noun] > lady's maid
chamberlaina1400
waiting-maid1561
chambermaid1569
lady's maid1577
tire-woman1615
abigail1616
fille de chambre1673
suivante1674
comb-brush1702
tiring-woman1732
femme de chambre1741
lady's woman1748
personal maid1748
comb-brusher1751
ayah1782
wardrobe maid1797
soubrette1824
camerist1838
tire-maid1871
1797 Court & City Eng. Reg. 77/2 Wardrobe Maids to the Princesses, Miss F. Mackenthun, Mrs. Turner, [etc].
1899 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. VIII. 425 The patient..became wardrobe maid at the Salpêtrière.
2001 Sunday Tel. (Sydney) (Nexis) 4 Feb. Lopez insists she's her own wardrobe maid, selecting her own outfits.
wardrobe woman n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > [noun] > one in charge of wardrobe
wardrobe keeper1599
wardrobe man?a1600
wardrobe woman1755
wardrobe maid1797
1755 Read's Weekly Jrnl. 27 Dec. Miss Elizabeth Diotiguardi is appointed one of the Wardrobe women to their Royal Highnesses the Princesses.
1890 W. S. Gilbert Foggerty's Fairy & Other Tales 213 She obtained a little employment as dresser and wardrobe-woman at a provincial theatre.
1897 Westm. Gaz. 6 July 6/3 Mrs. M'Donald..had been for forty years in the Queen's service, thirty-one of which as wardrobewoman.
2012 L. Banner Marilyn ii. v. 161 She went naked in the studio among female employees—wardrobe women, hairdressers, and makeup artists.
d. In sense 2c, as wardrobe department, wardrobe store, etc.See also Compounds 1c.
ΚΠ
1826 Theatr. Observer (single sheet) We suspect there is some parsimony in the wardrobe department here, the men are generally dressed vilely poor.
1892 Trans. Royal Inst. Brit. Architects 8 93 (caption) Plan of First Floor (Dress Circle)... Stage stairs and lift... Wardrobe stores... Actors' dressing-rooms.
1943 Billboard 15 May 5/2 Costumers, wardrobe supervisors, actors and performers in general will be checking up on their trunk and luggage needs.
1993 Theatrum Summer 20/1 I also went down to the wardrobe stockroom and pulled some stuff for Ted to wear.
2001 Premiere Sept. 66/2 I have the wardrobe guy going, ‘How come this suit doesn't fit now?’
2014 Vanity Fair Mar. 323/4 When ‘Number One’ walks to the set, he or she is generally surrounded by a hovering glam squad—consisting of hair, makeup, and wardrobe assistants.
C2.
wardrobe account n. (chiefly in plural) an account or set of accounts relating to the wardrobe of an individual or an establishment.Chiefly with reference to the royal wardrobe: see sense 3.
ΚΠ
1676 Table sig. E/1, in Statutes at Large Warden of the Kings Wardrobe Accounts yearly at St. Margaret.
1770 Archaeologia 1 361 Observation on the Wardrobe Account for the Year 1483.
1865 F. B. Palliser Hist. Lace xi. 158 The Duke's wardrobe accounts afford a good specimen of the extravagance in the decoration of night attire at this period.
1900 Library 1 305 Although various books are incidentally mentioned in the Wardrobe Accounts of the first, second and third Edwards, there is no record of an English king..possessing a collection large enough to be styled a library until the reign of Edward IV.
2002 S. Crane Performance of Self ii. 39 Wardrobe accounts and court poetry offer a rich archive on the practice of Maying.
wardrobe bedstead n. now rare (chiefly historical) a bedstead designed to fold away into a wardrobe for storage.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > bed > types of bed > [noun] > folding bed for camp or travelling > folding bed for house > which folds into cupboard
presser1557
press bed1660
press bedstead1683
wardrobe bedstead1801
1801 Bury & Norwich Post 30 Sept. 1/5 (advt.) The finished goods include a handsome mahogany inlaid wardrobe, ditto pair of knife cases, ditto pair of card tables, ditto wardrobe bedstead, other tables, chairs, trays..with various other valuable articles.
1900 Frank Leslie's Pop. Monthly Apr. 663/1 She has patented a large number of convertible chairs, wardrobe bedsteads, folding beds, and such quaint combinations as a bath-tub and travelling bag.
2011 D. Bucknell Pharmaceut., Biotechnol. & Chem. Inventions II. liv. 91 This doctrine remains as vital today as it was in the 1890s concerning the unconditional sale of the patented wardrobe bedsteads at issue in the Keeler case.
wardrobe book n. historical after 17th cent. a book used to record accounts relating to the wardrobe of an individual or an establishment.Chiefly with reference to the royal wardrobe: see sense 3.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > [noun] > accounts book for wardrobe
wardrobe book1690
1690–1700 Order of Hospitalls sig. Gviii You shall also kepe the Wardrobe-booke, wherein shalbe written..the remainder of all things at euery Michaelmass [etc.].
1793 R. Warner Topogr. Remarks South-western Parts Hampshire I. iii. 146 The several items in his Wardrobe book, (for the 28th year of his reign) of the expences incurred on this account.
1892 E. W. Streeter Precious Stones (ed. 5) xxvi. 315 In the Wardrobe Book of Edward I., the Peridot is mentioned among the jewels of the deceased Bishop of Bath and Wells.
2012 J. Stratford Richard II & Eng. Royal Treasure vi. 82 Henry's New Year purchases for Richard and Isabelle, recorded in his wardrobe book for 1397 to 1398, cannot be identified.
wardrobe dealer n. now rare (chiefly historical) a dealer in second-hand clothes; (also) a shop selling such clothes.
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society > trade and finance > trader > traders or dealers in specific articles > [noun] > in old clothes
fripperer1584
fripler1589
fripper1598
old clothes man1767
wardrobe dealer1824
fripier1826
clothes-man1842
1824 York Herald 26 June The metropolis had one day's respite from the sonorous attentions of itinerant wardrobe dealers.
1971 L. S. Sealy Cases & Materials Company Law 54 Mrs Tunstall..carried on business as a wardrobe dealer in shop premises leased from Mrs Steigmann.
2011 Dover Express (Nexis) 15 Sept. 10 Watts the herbalist next door to an umbrella maker, a wardrobe dealer, a toy and musical instrument dealer,..Miss Crump's evening school, the ‘Durable’ Boot company.
wardrobe malfunction n. colloquial (humorous) an instance of a person's clothing slipping out of position, tearing, etc., so as to expose part of the wearer's body or otherwise cause embarrassment.Originally with reference to a televised half-time performance at the 2004 Super Bowl, during which one of singer Janet Jackson's breasts was inadvertently momentarily exposed; see quot. 2004.
ΚΠ
2004 Associated Press Online (Nexis) 1 Feb. Timberlake said he did not intend to expose Jackson's breast. ‘I am sorry that anyone was offended by the wardrobe malfunction during the halftime performance of the Super Bowl.’
2005 Esquire Oct. 144/1 Her trip..has since taken in a ‘wardrobe malfunction’ on German television, during which her left nipple was exposed.
2008 M. Stone & A. Regner Great Bk. Detroit Sports Lists 73 He ripped the seat of the pants of his first outfit in mid-performance. After informing the crowd of his wardrobe malfunction, he went to change into the other suit.
2011 N.Y. Times Mag. 27 Mar. 60/1 A stylist fussed around her, affixing her dress's..straps to her body with double-sided tape to avoid any possible wardrobe malfunctions.
wardrobe master n. a person responsible for supplying and taking care of theatrical costumes, either for an individual performer, or (more usually) for a theatre or theatre company.
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the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > [noun] > one in charge of wardrobe > of theatrical company
wardrobe master1853
wardrobe mistress1853
1853 Athenæum 26 Nov. 1423/2 As regards the execution of this operetta, the scene-painter and the wardrobe-master come first in praise, both being entirely ‘up to the mark’.
1897 E. Soldene Theatr. & Mus. Recoll. xxix. 249 I..made over the whole of my wardrobe, both personal and professional, to my wardrobe master.
1954 Jet 29 Apr. 43 She arrived for a Tyler College fashion show with a trunk and 12 bags of clothes (25 complete changes) and a wardrobe master.
2008 S. Selfors Saving Juliet ii. 14 Fernando supplied mouthwash and the wardrobe master took my costume to be cleaned, giving me a replacement.
wardrobe mistress n. a woman responsible for supplying and taking care of theatrical costumes, either for an individual performer, or (more usually) for a theatre or theatre company; = wardrobe master n.
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the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > [noun] > one in charge of wardrobe > of theatrical company
wardrobe master1853
wardrobe mistress1853
1853 Theatr. Jrnl. Apr. 131 The corps de ballet dresses are exceedingly neat and characteristic, they are by Mrs. Meek, wardrobe mistress.
1897 E. Soldene Theatr. & Mus. Recoll. xvi. 137 Mrs. Quinton, my wardrobe mistress, whose husband was super-master.
1960 Life 2 May 133/1 Billy and the crew dragged the elderly wardrobe mistress out of the swatchy bottom of the wardrobe room where she had been snoozing.
2003 Independent (Nexis) 19 June 13 She took her first job in theatre—as an acting assistant stage manager in weekly rep, which translated as actor, set-builder, wardrobe mistress, props girl and general dogsbody.
wardrobe room n. a room used for storing costumes in a theatre; = sense 2c.
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society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > other parts of theatre > [noun] > wardrobe room
wardrobe1711
wardrobe room1809
1809 European Mag. & London Rev. Sept. 167/2 There are three green-rooms, all of them on the side of Bow-street—The wardrobe-room is spacious and superb.
1885 J. K. Jerome On Stage iv. 31 A little lower down was the wardrobe room. There was not much in it though. Dresses are borrowed as they are wanted, now, from the costumiers.
1937 Pop. Sci. Monthly Nov. 52/1 As the winter progresses, tables in the wardrobe room are piled high with Oriental turbans, African headdresses, and military caps, in addition to the larger pieces of the various costumes.
2014 N.Y. Times (Nexis) 17 Apr. e6 Backstage in the makeshift wardrobe room where, night after night, crystals are painstakingly reapplied.
wardrobe stuff n. chiefly historical after 17th cent. the contents of a wardrobe (in sense 3); household linen or furnishings.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > [noun] > of a house
attirec1325
harness1340
gearc1380
household1420
stuff1438
household stuff1445
standard?1474
utensil1484
inspreith1488
utensilies1496
household goods1501
insight1522
wardrobe stuff?a1527
housewifery1552
plenishing1561
householdry1570
supellectile1584
household effects1762
sticks of furniture1777
house furnishing1827
houseware1827
ingear1835
supellex1849
household appliance1853
homeware1868
home1887
décor1926
?a1527 in Regulations & Establishm. Househ. Earl of Northumberland (1905) xlix. 872 Yt is Ordygnede that the Wardrobe Stuff shall have at every Remevall iij Cariages allowed besides my Lordes Chariot.
1537 in Hist. MSS Comm.: MSS Duke of Rutland (1905) IV. 286 in Parl. Papers (Cd. 2606) LXIII. 301 Item paid to Peter Barret for his dyner, when he helpe to cary my Lorde's wardrope stuffe to Grynwyche, ijd.
1616 in King James VI & I Disc. Discouerie Powder-treason in Wks. 230 (margin) Agreed that the search should be vnder colour of seeking for Wardrobe stuffe missed by Whynniard.
1714 J. Macky Journey through Eng. I. 103 A House of the same Largeness, for diverse the Wardrobe-Stuff of the said College.
1898 Archaeologia 54 130 By order of the Committee of Revenue, dated in June, 1649, some beds and wardrobe-stuff, and linen and plate were appointed to be delivered to the defendant with the prince and princess.
2010 A. Weir Lady in Tower ix. 186 On May 3 an official inventory of Norris's wardrobe stuff had been drawn up.
wardrobe trunk n. a large travelling trunk designed to be used as a wardrobe when placed on end, typically containing drawers or other compartments as well as space for hanging clothes.
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society > travel > aspects of travel > a journey > [noun] > luggage > travelling boxes
trussing coffera1387
lode-malea1400
gardeviance1459
trussing mail1485
trussing chest1540
trunk1609
portmanteau trunk1683
hair-trunk1693
mail-trunka1726
trunkie1728
trunk-mail1771
imperial1773
cedar chest1775
Noah's Ark1803
wardrobe trunk1815
dress case1819
yakdan1824
pitara1828
bullock-trunk1844
dress basket1857
Saratoga trunk1857
Saratoga1863
black jack1885
innovation trunk1912
1815 Morning Post 18 May 1/4 (advt.) He has invented a most complete Solid Leather Wardrobe Trunk for Travelling.
1928 S. Lewis Man who knew Coolidge i. 39 She pointed out I'd have to get my dress-suit in New York and it wouldn't get wrinkled in a wardrobe trunk.
2014 Times-Tribune (Corbin, Kentucky) (Nexis) 29 Nov. As Clark digs through a wardrobe trunk to find something to keep him warm, he comes across a box of old home movies.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2016; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.a1325