garderobe
- noun
- /ˈɡɑrdəˌroʊb/
- Archaic
:
retrete
- The medieval castle featured a garderobe built into the wall, providing a discreet place for guests to relieve themselves.
Examples
-
Just stuff him in a barrel with the rest of the garbage and tip the lot of them down the nearest garderobe.
Blog text (8) -
During her tour of the historical home, she was fascinated to learn how the garderobe was used for both storing clothes and as a toilet.
-
The old documentation described the garderobe as essential for hygiene in the days when private restrooms were rare.
Synonyms
28
9.9
A small private room used for quiet study or prayer in the past
3
2.8
A room where people leave coats and bags temporarily
3
6.1
A small room with a toilet for people to use
1
9.9
A small cupboard set into a wall in a church or old house for storing things
Surface Forms
Etymology
Garderobe comes from French garder 'to keep' and robe 'dress'. In medieval castles a garderobe was a small room used as a toilet and for storing clothes, and a helpful way to remember this is that people kept clothes there because the strong smell helped keep insects away.