easel

views updated May 18 2018

ea·sel / ˈēzəl/ • n. a self-supporting wooden frame for holding an artist's work while it is being painted or drawn. ∎  a similar frame for displaying charts, promotional materials, announcements, etc.ORIGIN: late 16th cent.: from Dutch ezel ‘ass.’ The word “horse” is used in English in a similar way to denote a supporting frame.

easel

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

easel

views updated May 23 2018

easel standing frame to support a picture. XVII. — Du. ezel ASS.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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