Definition

1. Noun:
   • A light, open carriage: A two-wheeled horse-drawn vehicle, often with a folding top (calash), designed for one or two passengers.
   • A long reclining chair: A chair with a long seat designed for sitting in a reclined position, often with an extended seat or footrest.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Carriage):

  • They took a romantic ride through the park in a chaise.
  • The painting depicts a gentleman arriving in a horse-drawn chaise.

• Noun (Chair):

  • She relaxed on the chaise by the window, reading a book.
  • The antique chaise longue was the centerpiece of the sitting room.

Advanced Usage

• "Chaise longue": A specific type of long reclining chair, from the French for "long chair." This is the more precise term for the furniture item.
  • The therapist asked the patient to lie on the chaise longue.

Variants and Related Words

• Chaise longue (n): The full term for a long reclining chair.
• Calash (n): A folding hood or top, as used on some carriages (like a chaise) or historically on women's hats.

Synonyms

• Carriage: A general term for a horse-drawn vehicle.
• Daybed, Recamier, Fainting couch: Different types of furniture for reclining.

Notes on Meaning

• The word "chaise" is derived from French, meaning "chair." Its use for a carriage reflects the seated nature of the vehicle. In modern English, it is most commonly encountered in historical contexts (for the carriage) or in interior design/furniture (for the chair, usually as "chaise longue").

Noun

1. a carriage consisting of two wheels and a calash top; drawn by a single horse
2. a long chair; for reclining