trundle bed

trundle bed
n.
a low bed on small wheels or casters, that can be rolled under another bed when not in use

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also called  truckle bed 

      a low bed, so called from the trundles, or casters, that were attached to the feet so that it could be pushed under the master bed when it was not in use. The bed was intended for servants, who used to sleep in their employer's room so as to be near at hand. The framework was generally of oak, and suspension was provided by leather or canvas straps looped through holes in the sides.

      The first references to the trundle bed occur in the 16th century, and the bed remained in common use until the early 19th century. The phrase is still used in some rural areas to describe a small bed of any kind, and the concept survives in the metaphor “to truckle under,” or to be subservient.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Trundle-bed — Trun dle bed , n. A low bed that is moved on trundles, or little wheels, so that it can be pushed under a higher bed; a truckle bed; also, sometimes, a simiral bed without wheels. Chapman. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • trundle bed — trundle ,bed noun count a low bed with wheels that is kept under another bed and brought out when you need it …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • trundle bed — n. a low bed on small wheels or casters, that can be rolled under another bed when not in use …   English World dictionary

  • trundle bed — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms trundle bed : singular trundle bed plural trundle beds mainly American a truckle bed …   English dictionary

  • Trundle bed — Trundle beds (or truckle beds) are usually considered a pair of beds, one slightly smaller than a twin bed that is on rollers or casters so that it may be put beneath the upper twin bed for storage. Trundle beds allow for two separate beds to be… …   Wikipedia

  • trundle bed — bed on wheels, portable bed, cot …   English contemporary dictionary

  • trundle bed — noun a low bed to be slid under a higher bed • Syn: ↑trundle, ↑truckle bed, ↑truckle • Hypernyms: ↑bed …   Useful english dictionary

  • trundle bed — trun′dle bed n. fur a low bed on casters, usu. pushed under another bed when not in use Also called truckle bed • Etymology: 1535–45 …   From formal English to slang

  • trundle bed — noun Date: 1542 a low bed usually on casters that can be rolled or slid under a higher bed when not in use called also truckle bed …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • trundle bed — noun A low bed, designed to be rolled/stored away, usually on casters, under a higher bed, e.g. for temporary use by guests. Syn: high riser, truckle bed …   Wiktionary

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