Linoleum

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /lɪˈnəʊliÉ™m/
• US IPA: /lɪˈnoÊŠliÉ™m/

Origin

Coined c. 1864 by inventor Frederick Walton, from Latin linum ("flax") + oleum ("oil"). Used as a trade name but never registered as a trademark, it was the first product whose name was ruled to be Genericized trademark.

Full definition of linoleum

Noun

1. An inexpensive waterproof covering used especially for floors, made from solidified linseed oil over a burlap or canvas backing, or from its modern replacement, polyvinyl chloride.
• 1929, M. Barnard Eldershaw, , Chapter VII, Section viThe house seemed unfamiliar in the dark stormy light; the red and purple glass of the front door made livid bruises on the linoleum; the green chenille curtain was like a veil of seaweed.

Synonyms

• lino (colloquial)