Undercloth
noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 A tablecloth laid directly on the table, over which are placed other coverings such as an additional tablecloth that allows the undercloth to show through, or an additional tablecloth that completely covers the undercloth when it is used for stability or noise muffling, or simple mats that provide additional protection. countable, uncountable
"Cover the table with an undercloth of felting or of canton flannel, or with a clean cotton blanket, to protect the table, to lessen noise, and to improve the appearance of the cloth. Over this undercloth spread the tablecloth smoothly and evenly, the middle fold upward, exactly in the middle and lengthwise with the table."
- 2 A protective cloth that goes underneath something. broadly, countable, uncountable
"Fire apparatus used for confining the smoke, and of an undercloth upon which the insects are made to fall"
- 3 A cloth that is placed beneath a saddle. countable, uncountable
"Amiel checked the mare's hooves and shoes, to be sure she was fit to ride, then lifted down an undercloth and, at Alaïs' request, a riding rather than hunting saddle, then a bridle."
- 4 A cloth on which a body rests as bedding. countable, uncountable
"It. a Joyned beddsteed, a fether beed, a Matteres, an undercloth, ij bolsters, ij pillowes, a coverlett and ij olde Curteynes"
- 5 The lower of two cloths that together perform some function. countable, uncountable
"New canvas is used first as undercloths, and these as required are made to replace discarded overcloths."
Show 7 more definitions
- 6 A cloth that is used as a base surface for some type of work, including cases where it is incorporated into the work. countable, uncountable
"Felt undercloth is available which is ruled and sectioned, to help you keep your characters in straight columns."
- 7 A fabric lining, especially one that adheres to the cloth that shows. countable, uncountable
"Table 5.10 45° Up Burning of Wool and Pure Synthetics as Composites with Fabric #5 as undercloth,1/2" (100% Cotton, T-Shirt) 1/2 inch spacing (65% Relative Humidity at 70°F)[…]Table 5.11 45° Down Burning of Synthetics as Composites, with Fabric #5 (100% Cotton, T-Shirt) as Undercloth"
- 8 A type of fabric intended to be used as an undercloth. countable, uncountable
"He either buys an undercloth, light merino, or ordinary suiting, with three-eighths or quarter blood."
- 9 Any of various undergarments made from a rectangular piece of cloth. countable, uncountable
"Assistants help the actors dress and wrap the yards of starched undercloth which give many of the characters their bulbous shape."
- 10 Any of various undergarments made from a rectangular piece of cloth.; A cloth used to cover the genitals. countable, uncountable
"I found myself in a dripping, water-soaked world, naked save for the undercloth about my loins, unarmed save for Cylon's knife, which remained tangled in that undercloth."
- 11 Any of various undergarments made from a rectangular piece of cloth.; A cloth used to bind the breasts. countable, uncountable
"Tshidi's doll stands on the window sill, heavy and solid. If I take off her blanket, I will find an undercloth. If I take off this undercloth, I will find breasts. If I take off these breasts, I will find arms. If I take off these arms, I will find holes."
- 12 Any of various undergarments made from a rectangular piece of cloth.; A cloth worn beneath a robe or other garment and that peeks out. countable, uncountable
"A little of the undercloth (antaravāsaka) is seen hanging down below the robe near the ankles. In addition, the transparency of the robe reveals the top of the undercloth, turned down at the waist and held in place by a broad cloth belt, while the two ends of the undercloth, folded together into a vertical panel, hang down between the legs; and the combination of belt and frontal panel makes a T-shaped or Y-shaped pattern.[…]This statue has another very unusual feature: the bottom hem of the robe hangs farther down than the undercloth. For the rest, the dress follows the usual rules, and the details of shoulder-flap and undercloth are rendered with elegance."
Example
More examples"Cover the table with an undercloth of felting or of canton flannel, or with a clean cotton blanket, to protect the table, to lessen noise, and to improve the appearance of the cloth. Over this undercloth spread the tablecloth smoothly and evenly, the middle fold upward, exactly in the middle and lengthwise with the table."
Etymology
From under- + cloth.
More for "undercloth"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.