laboratory coat
- noun
- /ˈlæbəˌrɑːtɔri koʊt/
- Specialized
:
bata de laboratorio
- The scientist wore a laboratory coat to protect her clothes from spills while conducting experiments.
Examples
-
Before entering the lab, everyone put on their laboratory coats to stay safe from harmful substances.
-
The artist employs dress to establish particular identities: medical personnel in white laboratory coats and politicians in suits.
Academic text (2000) -
Seconds later, the closed door to the hall is flung open, flooding the room with light from the hall, and Homer, dressed in his long white laboratory coat and looking every inch the doctor, delivers his best imitation of Larch's popular blessing.
Fiction book (1999) -
He realized he forgot his laboratory coat and rushed back to grab it before starting the experiment.
Synonyms
957
1.0
A warm piece of clothing with sleeves worn outside
42
3.9
A loose piece of clothing people wear over other clothes to keep them clean
24
2.1
A long white coat worn over clothes in a laboratory to protect them from spills and chemicals
How Protective
- Specialized
1
6.5
16
4.0
- Specialized
21
5.3
103
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'laboratory' specifies the place/context and 'coat' names an outer garment, so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it is a coat worn in a lab for protection. This modifier+noun pattern is common cross-linguistically and follows standard English noun-noun composition, making the expression transparent.
Etymology
Laboratory coat comes from the clear image of someone in a laboratory putting on a coat to cover and protect their clothes. That's why it means a light, protective garment worn to 'protect clothes' and keep the person safe from spills and stains.