counterpane - 10/10/03 01:14 PM
It occurred to me that I had no idea as to its etymology:
counterpane
SYLLABICATION: coun·ter·pane
PRONUNCIATION: kountr-pn
NOUN: A cover for a bed; a bedspread.
ETYMOLOGY: Alteration of obsolete counterpoint, from Middle English countrepoint, from Old French contrepointe, alteration of coultepointe, from Medieval Latin culcita pncta, stitched quilt : Latin culcita, quilt, mattress; see quilt + Latin pnctus, stitched, pricked; see point.
counterpane
SYLLABICATION: coun·ter·pane
PRONUNCIATION: kountr-pn
NOUN: A cover for a bed; a bedspread.
ETYMOLOGY: Alteration of obsolete counterpoint, from Middle English countrepoint, from Old French contrepointe, alteration of coultepointe, from Medieval Latin culcita pncta, stitched quilt : Latin culcita, quilt, mattress; see quilt + Latin pnctus, stitched, pricked; see point.