oil-coat
Definition
Noun: An "oil-coat" is a type of waterproof garment, typically a coat, made from fabric treated with oil (such as linseed oil) to repel water. It was commonly worn by sailors, fishermen, and outdoor workers in wet weather before the widespread use of modern synthetic waterproof materials.
Usage Examples
- (A waterproof coat made from oiled fabric.)
- (A coat treated to resist water.)
Advanced Usage
- "to oil-coat" (rare, verb): to apply oil to fabric to make it waterproof.
- They used to oil-coat their canvas tarpaulins for protection. (They treated the canvas with oil.)
Variants and Related Words
Oilskin (n): a synonym for oil-coat; also refers to a waterproof fabric or garment made from it.
- The sailor's oilskin kept him dry in the heavy rain. (A waterproof coat made from oiled cloth.)
Oiled (adj): treated with oil, as in "oiled silk" or "oiled canvas."
- The tent was made from oiled canvas to resist moisture. (The fabric was treated with oil.)
Synonyms
- Raincoat: a modern waterproof coat (not necessarily oil-treated).
- Sou'wester: a specific type of oil-coat with a wide brim, worn by sailors.
Related Idioms
- "to oil one's coat" (archaic): to prepare for wet weather by treating one's coat.
- He oiled his coat before the voyage. (He made his coat waterproof.)
Phrasal Verbs
- "to oil up": to apply oil to something (not specific to coats, but related).
- He oiled up his boots to protect them from the rain. (He applied oil to make them waterproof.)