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writing board

writing board

2.6
A flat light board you hold on your lap to write on when you have no desk
  • noun
  • /ˈraɪtɪŋ bɔrd/
translation icon : tabla de escritura
  • During the lecture, he balanced his writing board comfortably on his knees.

Examples

  • "I'll show you a set you ain't never gonna get past!" I pulled out my writing board and sat it on top of a cardboard box.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • I placed my writing board on my lap so I could take notes during the meeting.

  • I laughed, no problem, but I also remembered my writing board.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • I walked over and picked up the writing board and one of the fountain pens from the several that had been arranged for display atop the night table.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • She used a writing board to write her grocery list while sitting on the couch.

Synonyms

tablet
vswriting board
50 1.8

A flat pad of paper used for writing or drawing

is a light portable flat surface mainly for writing across the lap
clipboard
vswriting board
33 2.3

A small flat board with a clip that holds papers for writing or reading

is a plain portable flat surface without a fixing clip
slate
vswriting board
  • Archaic
25 9.9

A small thin stone tablet children use to write on and wipe clean

is a modern lightweight flat surface rather than an old stone writing slab
drawing board
vswriting board
5 3.1

A smooth flat board you put paper on to make pictures or plans

is mainly for simple portable writing rather than detailed drawing work
lapboard
vswriting board
5.8

A flat board placed on the knees to write or work on

is a general lightweight flat surface often used across the lap
drafting board
vswriting board
  • Specialized
5.1

A smooth flat board that people use for drawing building plans

is for basic portable writing, not for precise technical drafting

How Portable

clipboard
33 2.3
writing board
2.6
writing desk
3 2.3
table
1.0

Surface Forms

writing board singular

Morphology

writing + board

The meaning 'a flat board used for writing' is directly derivable from combining 'writing' (relating to written text) with 'board' (a flat surface). This is a straightforward compositional noun–noun compound common across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand the phrase.

Etymology

Writing board comes from the simple idea of a flat board for writing, like the small wooden or slate boards students put on their laps to have a hard surface. That's why it means 'a portable surface for writing'.