rumble seat
Definition
Noun: * A folding outside seat in the back of some early cars, typically an open-air seat located at the rear of the vehicle, behind the main passenger compartment.
Usage
The term "rumble seat" is a historical noun used specifically to describe a feature of early 20th-century automobiles. It refers to an extra, often uncovered, passenger seat that folded out from the rear of the car. It is not used for modern vehicles.
Examples
- The children begged to ride in the rumble seat of the vintage roadster.
- In many classic cars, the rumble seat was accessed by folding down the rear deck.
- He restored the 1932 Ford, including the leather upholstery for the rumble seat.
Advanced Usage
- The term is primarily used in historical, automotive, or nostalgic contexts.
- It can evoke a sense of a bygone era of motoring.
Variants and Related Words
- Dickey seat (chiefly British English): A synonym for "rumble seat."
- Mother-in-law seat: An informal, humorous term for a rumble seat.
- Tonnerau (from French): While not a direct synonym, it refers to the rear body section of a car where a rumble seat might be located.
Synonyms
- Dickey seat
- Mother-in-law seat (informal)
Antonyms
- Interior seat
- Enclosed cabin
Related Phrases / Collocations
- To ride in the rumble seat: The most common phrase describing its use.
- A car with a rumble seat: Describing a vehicle feature.
- Fold-down rumble seat: Emphasizing its mechanical nature.
Noun
-
a folding outside seat in the back of some early cars
