washing-stand
Definition
Noun: A "washing-stand" (also known as a washstand) is a piece of furniture designed to hold a basin, pitcher of water, and other toiletries for washing one's hands and face. It was commonly used in bedrooms or bathrooms before modern plumbing became widespread.
Usage Examples
- (A historical piece of furniture for washing.)
- (Using the furniture for its intended purpose.)
- (A functional item in a pre-plumbing era.)
Advanced Usage
- "to keep a washing-stand": to maintain or use such a piece of furniture for hygiene.
- The museum keeps a fully equipped washing-stand in the period bedroom. (A preserved historical item.)
- "washing-stand set": the collection of items (basin, pitcher, soap dish) used with the stand.
- She inherited a porcelain washing-stand set from her grandmother. (The matching accessories.)
Variants and Related Words
- Washstand (n): a shorter, more common form of "washing-stand," meaning the same piece of furniture.
- The washstand in the corner held a small towel and a bar of soap. (Synonymous with washing-stand.)
- Wash-hand-stand (n): an older, fuller term for the same object.
- The term "wash-hand-stand" was used in 19th-century households. (A historical variant.)
- Toilet table (n): a similar piece of furniture for grooming, often with a mirror and drawers.
- The dressing room featured a toilet table instead of a washing-stand. (A related but distinct item.)
Synonyms
- Washstand: the most direct synonym, often used interchangeably.
- Basin stand: a simpler term focusing on the basin's support.
- Commode: in some contexts, a piece of furniture that may include a washing area, though this term can also refer to a toilet.
Related Idioms
- "Not a washing-stand in sight": a figurative expression meaning a lack of basic amenities or old-fashioned comforts.
- In the modern hotel, there was not a washing-stand in sight; everything was built-in. (No traditional furniture for washing.)
Usage Notes
- The term "washing-stand" is now largely historical or antique, as modern bathrooms have replaced such furniture. It is mostly used in discussions of period interiors, museum exhibits, or vintage home decor.