electric blanket
- noun
- /ɪˈlɛktrɪk ˈblæŋkɪt/
- She told herself that she had been wise to bring the electric blanket because it would be cold at night in Zacatecas.
- sleep under an electric blanket
- buy an electric blanket
- turned on the electric blanket
Examples
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I also got an electric blanket that you plug into your car.
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Cartons filled with ice skates, electric blankets, and cafeteria-tray sleds lined the dark oak floor.
Fiction book (1992) -
That must be nice, an electric blanket on a night like this.
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"I left my electric blanket on," she says, "and I hate to throw money away."
Fiction book (1993) -
Lillian helped Mom into bed and turned on the electric blanket.
Fiction book (1999) -
I keep an electric blanket on my bed all year so I can wrap myself up, trying to relieve pain.
Blog text (14) -
Simon and I had long before progressed to a king-size bed and an electric blanket with dual controls.
Fiction book (1996) -
Yeah, but I mean, I would never give up my electric blanket, André.
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"I turned on the electric blanket after the Shevvingtons left," Anya whispered, "so the mattress would get hot for you."
Fiction book (1990) -
On cold winter nights, I love to snuggle under my electric blanket to stay warm.
Synonyms
A large soft cloth you use on a bed to keep warm
How Warm
- US
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a blanket with an electric heating element' is directly and compositionally derived from 'electric' (relating to electrical power) modifying 'blanket' (a bed covering for warmth). This follows a regular adjective + noun compounding pattern found in many languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
Electric blanket comes from the simple idea of a blanket with electric wires inside that make it warm. It is literally a cover you can switch on to 'warm' yourself, so the phrase means a blanket that uses electricity to heat you.