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Glite Dictionary
hearthrug

hearthrug

1 6.7
A small carpet that sits in front of a fireplace to protect the floor and add warmth
  • noun
  • /ˈhɑrθˌrʌg/
: alfombra de chimenea
  • The dog likes to lie down on the cozy hearthrug in front of the fireplace.

Examples

  • Tina, the black Lab, asleep on the hearthrug, twitches and whimpers...

    Fiction book (1997)

  • If he catches us, he will shoot you dead, skin you, and have your pelt as his hearthrug.

    Missing Link (2019)

  • "Mary Fred," Alice said finally as I was beating the hearthrug on the back porch, "really, you don't have to do any chores.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • During the winter, we placed a warm hearthrug by the fire to keep our feet comfortable.

  • After the fire was lit, we sat on the hearthrug and enjoyed the warmth.

Synonyms

rug
vshearthrug
237 1.0

A thick piece of cloth placed on the floor for warmth or decoration

is placed in front of a fireplace to protect the floor and add comfort
scatter rug
vshearthrug
1 3.7

A small mat you can move that covers part of a floor

is placed specifically before a fireplace, not used anywhere else
goatskin rug
vshearthrug
4.8

A rug made from goat skin used on the floor

is defined by placement and protection rather than material

How Comfortable

hearthrug
1 6.7
rug
237 1.0
mat
166 1.0

Surface Forms

hearthrug singular
hearthrugs plural

Morphology

hearthrug = hearth + rug (transparent) = hearth + rug

The meaning is a direct compound of 'hearth' + 'rug' (a rug placed by a fireplace), which is immediately inferable from the components.

Etymology

Hearthrug comes from hearth ('the floor area by a fireplace') and rug ('a small carpet'), so it literally means a small carpet placed at the fireplace; that's why a hearthrug protects the floor and gives a warm, comfortable place to sit.