DOILY

doily, doyley, doyly

(noun) a small round piece of linen placed under a dish or bowl

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

doily (plural doilies)

A small ornamental piece of lace or linen or paper used to protect a surface from scratches by hard objects such as vases or bowls; or to decorate a plate of food.

(obsolete) An old kind of woollen material.

Source: Wiktionary

Doi"ly, n. Etym: [So called from the name of the dealer.]

1. A kind of woolen stuff. [Obs.] "Some doily petticoats." Dryden. A fool and a doily stuff, would now and then find days of grace, and be worn for variety. Congreve.

2. A small napkin, used at table with the fruit, etc.; -- commonly colored and fringed.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition