Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A type of sofa borrowed by the English designer Hepplewhite from the French.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • He imagined, for a moment, that the proposition of the duchesse was a snare; that perhaps some one was waiting at the door; and that she whose secret had just been sold to

    Louise de la Valliere Alexandre Dumas p��re 1836

  • He imagined, for a moment, that the proposition of the duchesse was a snare; that perhaps some one was waiting at the door; and that she, whose secret had just been sold to

    The Vicomte de Bragelonne Or Ten Years Later being the completion of "The Three Musketeers" And "Twenty Years After" Alexandre Dumas p��re 1836

  • "Now, listen to me, you little mischief," said the chevalier, sitting down on a huge sofa, formerly called a duchesse, which Madame Lardot had been at some pains to find for him.

    The Jealousies of a Country Town Honor�� de Balzac 1824

  • "Now, listen to me, you little mischief," said the chevalier, sitting down on a huge sofa, formerly called a duchesse, which Madame Lardot had been at some pains to find for him.

    An Old Maid Honor�� de Balzac 1824

  • A golden tube of sunlight shone through some opening in the Venetian blinds, and it shone on the brown hair that lay about her head on the pillow, and she looked steadily into the room at the 'duchesse' toilet-table, the coloured ware of the washstand, and the two photogravures in oak frames, 'The Meeting' and 'The Parting,' that hung upon the wall.

    The House of Souls Arthur Machen 1905

  • a soft radiance at the touch of a button; the "duchesse" and "marquise" chairs, with upholstery matching the walls; the huge leather

    The Metropolis Upton Sinclair 1923

  • This lit à la duchesse will return to slumber in storage.

    A Bed (Not for Sleeping) 2011

  • The bed, known as a "lit à la duchesse," is also extremely rare.

    A Bed (Not for Sleeping) 2011

  • For something a little dressier, Kors sent out dresses made of feathers hand-painted like leopard skin, and a tiger-print duchesse trench coat.

    Word of advice for spring wardrobe: caution 2011

  • Meant to recall feminine mid-century couture, the duchesse silk florals were created using warp printing—a weaving style developed in Lyon in the early 19th century wherein the print is integrated into the weaving process, creating a blurred effect.

    Indian Summer Alexis Swerdloff 2011

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