mackintosh
mackintosh Lexical Profile
mackintosh Game Scores & Validity
• noun
British A full-length waterproof coat, originally and traditionally made of rubberized fabric.
"He turned up his collar against the drizzle and buttoned his mackintosh tightly."
Cloth rendered waterproof by a coating of rubber, traditionally used in the manufacture of rainwear and protective coverings.
"The early Victorian explorers relied on thick layers of mackintosh to keep their provisions dry."
Word Nuance & Usage
Often abbreviated as 'mac', this term is primarily used in British English, whereas North American English strongly favors 'raincoat'. Do not confuse with 'Macintosh', the computer brand, or 'McIntosh', the apple variety, though all share the same Scottish surname origin.
• Rhymes for mackintosh
Word Origin & Etymology
Named after Charles Macintosh, a Scottish chemist who patented the rubberized waterproof fabric in 1823. The 'k' was later added to the spelling by the public and manufacturers.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.