bed jacket
Definition
Noun: A short, lightweight jacket, typically made of soft fabric, designed to be worn over nightclothes while sitting up in bed. Its primary function is to provide extra warmth and coverage to the upper body without the bulk of a full robe.
Examples of Usage
- She wore a cozy flannel bed jacket while reading in bed.
- The nurse helped the patient put on a bed jacket before breakfast.
- A silk bed jacket can be both practical and elegant.
Advanced Usage
- Historical/Period Context: The bed jacket was a common garment in the 19th and early-to-mid 20th centuries, often associated with convalescence or leisurely morning routines before the prevalence of modern central heating.
- As a Gift Item: It is sometimes given as a practical gift for someone who is ill, recovering from surgery, or an elderly person who may feel chilled.
Variants and Related Words
- Bed robe (n): A longer alternative that covers more of the body, similar to a short dressing gown.
- Jacket (n): The general term for a short coat.
- Negligee (n): A woman's lightweight dressing gown, often more decorative and made of sheer fabric, which may include a matching bed jacket.
Synonyms
- Bed cape
- Short bed robe
Related Items (Not Phrasal Verbs)
- Dressing gown: A fuller-length robe worn over nightclothes.
- Shawl: A piece of fabric worn over the shoulders for warmth, which can serve a similar purpose but is not specifically designed for bed.
Noun
-
a lightweight jacket worn over bedclothes (as when sitting in bed)
