Word of the Day – Counterpane

Counterpane (noun)

cow-n-tuh-payn

A dated word for a bedspread, falling out of usage fast!

Early 17th century: alteration of counterpoint, from Old French contrepointe, based on medieval Latin culcitra puncta ‘quilted mattress’ ( puncta, literally meaning ‘pricked’, from the verb pungere). The change in the ending was due to association with pane in an obsolete sense ‘cloth’.

Example sentences

“Tidy the counterpane or he’ll know I’ve been here.”