Chair

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /tʃɛə(ɹ)/
• US IPA: /tʃɛəɹ/
• Rhymes: -ɛə(ɹ)

Origin

From Middle French chaire, from Latin cathēdra ("seat"), from Ancient Greek καθέδρα (kathedra), from κατά (kata, "down") + ἕδρα (hedra, "seat"). Replaced native stool which now has a specific sense.

Full definition of chair

Noun

1. An item of furniture used to sit on or in comprising a seat, legs, back, and sometimes arm rests, for use by one person. Compare stool, couch, sofa, settee, loveseat and bench.
• 1918, W. B. Maxwell, The Mirror and the Lamp Chapter 12, There were many wooden chairs for the bulk of his visitors, and two wicker armchairs with red cloth cushions for superior people. From the packing-cases had emerged some Indian clubs, â€¦, and all these articles â€¦ made a scattered and untidy decoration that Mrs. Clough assiduously dusted and greatly cherished.
• 1963, Margery Allingham, The China Governess Chapter 19, Meanwhile Nanny Broome was recovering from her initial panic and seemed anxious to make up for any kudos she might have lost, by exerting her personality to the utmost. She took the policeman's helmet and placed it on a chair, and unfolded his tunic to shake it and fold it up again for him.
2. All I need to weather a snowstorm is hot coffee, a warm fire, a good book and a comfortable chair.
3. Chairperson.
• 1658-9, March 23, Thomas Burton, Diary, The Chair behaves himself like a Busby amongst so many school-boys...and takes a little too much on him.
• 1887, September 5, It can hardly be conceived that the Chair would fail to gain the support of the House.
4. Under the rules of order adopted by the board, the chair may neither make nor second motions.
5. (music) The seating position of a particular musician in an orchestra.
   My violin teacher used to play first chair with the Boston Pops.
6. (rail transport) Blocks that support and hold railroad track in position, and similar devices.
7. (chemistry) One of two possible conformers of cyclohexane rings (the other being boat), shaped roughly like a chair.
8. (slang, with the) The electric chair.
   He killed a cop: he's going to get the chair.
   The court will show no mercy; if he gets convicted, it's the chair for him.
9. A distinguished professorship at a university.
10. An iron block used on railways to support the rails and secure them to the sleepers.
11. A vehicle for one person; either a sedan borne upon poles, or a two-wheeled carriage drawn by one horse; a gig.
• Alexander PopeThink what an equipage thou hast in air,
  And view with scorn two pages and a chair.

Derived terms

Verb

1. To act as chairperson.Bob will chair tomorrow's meeting.
2. To carry someone in a seated position upon one's shoulders, especially in celebration or victory
• 1896, A. E. Houseman, "To An Athlete Dying Young," in A Shropshire Lad,The time you won your town the raceWe chaired you through the marketplace.
3. (Wales, UK) To award a chair to the winning poet at a Welsh eisteddfod.The poet was chaired at the national Eisteddfod.

Anagrams

• Archi