drop cloth
2
3.0
- noun
- /drɒp klɔθ/
- US
:
cobertor
- I wrapped my mattress in a plastic drop cloth, taped it, and threw it out.
- a plastic drop cloth
- a canvas drop cloth
- a large drop cloth
Examples
-
The workers spread a large drop cloth on the ground to catch any falling debris.
-
Before we start painting, we should lay down a drop cloth to protect the floor.
-
Lay down a piece of drop cloth or plastic to keep the paint off other surfaces.
Blog text (33) -
The drop cloth hanging from the scaffolding behind it would work much better.
Fiction book (2001) -
The bed was roped in and veiled with a blue plastic drop cloth.
Fiction book (1995) -
Several chandeliers had been lowered to the floor in the boxes around us and covered with clear plastic drop cloths.
Fiction book (1999) -
Jellie did suggest a drop cloth to protect the nice oak flooring from greasy tools.
Fiction book (1993) -
My sister and I ran to the basement for drop cloths and rollers, stirred the paint, and washed the brushes.
Fiction book (2001) -
Lower left: the lilacs, the tarp covering the paint cans and ladder, and the folded drop cloths.
Fiction book (1993) -
She bought several drop cloths to ensure the furniture didn't get damaged during the renovation.
Synonyms
2
6.8
A strong cloth covered with oil that protects tables from water and stains
A large cloth used to cover furniture when not in use to protect it from dust
A cloth used to clean a floor by wiping it
How Protective
4
5.4
- US
2
3.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound is compositionally interpretable: 'drop' evokes falling droplets (e.g., paint) and 'cloth' is a textile, so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer a cloth used to catch or protect from drops during painting. This construction is a straightforward descriptive compound found across languages, so its meaning is readily derivable from the constituents.
Etymology
The noun drop cloth may come from the simple image of dropping a cloth over furniture or the floor to catch paint drops. That's why it means 'a large piece of cloth used to protect floors or furniture' during painting.