English Explanatory Dictionary

armchair

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A chair with supports for the arms or elbows.
  2. A position removed from that which one is
adj
  1. Remote from actual involvement, including a person retired from previously active involvement.
  2. Unqualified or uninformed but yet giving advice, especially on technical issues, such as law, architecture, medicine, military theory, or sports; relating to such advice.
verb
  1. To create based on theory or general knowledge rather than data.
  2. To theorize based on analysis of data that was gathered previously; to reflect.

Pronunciation

/ˈɑː(ɹ)mtʃɛə(ɹ)/ /ˈɑɹmt͡ʃɛɚ/ en-us-armchair.ogg

Word forms

armchair armchairs arm-chair armchairing armchaired

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂er- Proto-Indo-European *h₂érmos Proto-Germanic *armaz Proto-West Germanic *arm Old English earm Middle English arm English arm Proto-Indo-European *ḱe Proto-Indo-European *ḱóm Proto-Indo-European *ḱm̥-th₂der.? Proto-Hellenic *kətá Ancient Greek κᾰτᾰ́ (kătắ) Proto-Indo-European *sed-der. Proto-Indo-European *sedreh₂ Proto-Hellenic *hédrā Ancient Greek ἕδρᾱ (hédrā) Ancient Greek κᾰθέδρᾱ (kăthédrā)bor. Latin cathedrader. Old French chaierebor. Middle English chayere English chair English armchair From arm + chair.

Related words

ivory tower

Derived words

armchair copy armchair critic armchair criticism armchair general armchair hawk armchair linguistics armchair psychologist armchair psychology armchair quarterback armchair strategist armchair tick armchair traveller
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