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Dutch wife. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
Dutch wife, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
Dutch wife in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
Dutch wife you have here. The definition of the word
Dutch wife will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
Dutch wife, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
Compound of Dutch (“inferior substitute”) + wife.
Pronunciation
Noun
Dutch wife (plural Dutch wives)
- A long body-length bolster (pillow) that can be held or wrapped around one's body while sleeping.
- Synonyms: body pillow, dakimakura, love pillow
1959, Anthony Burgess, Beds in the East (The Malayan Trilogy), published 1972, page 490:His eyes wide with surprise and fear, he clutched tightly the bolster — sweat- absorbing bedfellow of sleepers in the East — known as a Dutch wife. [...] "What do you mean? Who are you?" Maniam's great eyes, his black skin oiled with sweat, Maniam's hands pudgily clutching his Dutch wife.
- In East Asia and Southeast Asia, a wicker or bamboo tube the size of a person for use in the bed. In the summer heat, the open bamboo structure is cooler than fabric pillows or sheets. The Dutch wife is embraced by the user, exposing the maximum amount of the body to cooling breezes.
- Synonyms: bamboo wife, bolster
Translations
bamboo tube for use in bed