ingle-nook
Definition
- Noun:
- A corner or nook by a fireplace: "ingle-nook" refers to a cozy, often recessed area or seat situated beside a fireplace, typically used for warmth and comfort.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- She curled up in the ingle-nook with a book and a cup of tea. (A comfortable corner next to the fireplace.)
- The old cottage had a charming ingle-nook where the family gathered on cold evenings. (A cozy recess by the hearth.)
Advanced Usage
"to sit in the ingle-nook": to occupy the warm, sheltered space by the fire.
- He loved to sit in the ingle-nook and watch the flames dance. (He enjoyed the comfort of the fireplace corner.)
"the ingle-nook of the kitchen": the area directly adjacent to the kitchen hearth.
- The ingle-nook of the kitchen was the heart of the home. (The fireplace corner was central to family life.)
Variants and Related Words
Ingle (n): a fire or fireplace, especially in a hearth.
- The ingle glowed warmly in the winter evening. (The fire in the hearth burned brightly.)
Inglenook (n): a variant spelling of "ingle-nook," meaning the same thing: a recess by a fireplace.
- They built a bench into the inglenook for extra seating. (They added a seat to the fireplace corner.)
Synonyms
- Fireplace corner: the angle or space formed by the sides of a hearth.
- Hearthside: the area immediately in front of or beside a fireplace.
- Chimney corner: a seat or recess beside the fireplace.
Related Idioms
- "The ingle-nook of hospitality": a metaphorical phrase referring to a warm, welcoming place.
- Her home was the ingle-nook of hospitality for all her friends. (Her home was a cozy, inviting space for guests.)
Notes on Usage
- "Ingle-nook" is an old-fashioned or literary term, most common in British English and descriptions of rustic or historical settings. It is rarely used in modern everyday speech.