CUPBOARD

cupboard, closet

(noun) a small room (or recess) or cabinet used for storage space

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology 1

Noun

cupboard (plural cupboards)

(obsolete) A board or table used to openly hold and display silver plate and other dishware; a sideboard; a buffet.

(obsolete) Things displayed on a sideboard; dishware, particularly valuable plate.

A cabinet, closet, or other piece of furniture with shelves intended for storing cookware, dishware, or food; similar cabinets or closets used for storing other items.

(obsolete) Things stored in a cupboard; particularly food.

Synonyms

• (furniture used to display tableware): see sideboard

• (kitchen or dining-room closet): see pantry, larder

Hypernyms

• (storage built into a wall): see closet

• (storage built onto a wall): see cabinet

• (furniture used for general storage): press (Irish & Scots), wardrobe (British), closet (regional US)

Etymology 2

Verb

cupboard (third-person singular simple present cupboards, present participle cupboarding, simple past and past participle cupboarded)

To collect, as into a cupboard; to hoard. [from 16th century.]

Source: Wiktionary


Cup"board (kb"brd), n. Etym: [Cup + board.]

1. A board or shelf for cups and dishes. [Obs.] Bacon.

2. A small closet in a room, with shelves to receive cups, dishes, food, etc.; hence, any small closet. Cupboard love, interested love, or that which has an eye to the cupboard. "A cupboard love is seldom true." Poor Robin. [Colloq.] -- To cry cupboard, to call for food; to express hunger. [Colloq.] "My stomach cries cupboard." W. Irving.

Cup"board, v. t.

Definition: To collect, as into a cupboard; to hoard. [R.] Shak.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

2 April 2025

COVERT

(adjective) secret or hidden; not openly practiced or engaged in or shown or avowed; “covert actions by the CIA”; “covert funding for the rebels”


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Coffee Trivia

In the 18th century, the Swedish government made coffee and its paraphernalia (including cups and dishes) illegal for its supposed ties to rebellious sentiment.

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