Escritoire: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the French 'écrire', meaning 'to write', highlighting its purpose.
• Its roots trace back to the Latin word 'scribere', which also means 'to write'.
• The term began to appear in English literature around the 18th century, reflecting changing attitudes towards personal writing spaces.

Design

• Escritoires often come with compartments to organize writing materials, reflecting a time when handwritten correspondence was essential.
• Some variations have drop-down writing surfaces to save space, showcasing clever furniture design.
• From ornate to minimalist designs, escritoires can be found in various styles, representing the owner's taste and the era they were made.

Cultural Significance

• In the 19th century, these desks were popular among writers and intellectuals, symbolizing productivity and creativity.
• Escritoires often served as a personal retreat for writers, providing a space for contemplation and inspiration.
• Today, they are often seen as vintage pieces, bringing a sense of nostalgia and elegance to modern homes.

Influence in Literature

• Writers such as Virginia Woolf and Ernest Hemingway used desks that resemble escritoires, emphasizing the connection between space and creativity.
• In literature, characters are often depicted writing important letters or novels at their escritoire, symbolizing communication and self-expression.
• The escritoire has appeared in various novels as a setting for crucial plot developments, illustrating its role in intellectual life.

Art and Revolution

• During the Enlightenment, as ideas spread through letters and essays, the escritoire became a symbol of intellectual progress.
• Artists like Gustave Courbet showcased scenes with escritoires, elevating the simple act of writing to an art form.
• The portrayal of these desks in art reflects their function not only as furniture but as vessels of thought and creativity.

Ranking #38,523, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

• ...
• 38520 succouring
• 38521 weakfish
• 38522 gilder
• 38523 escritoire
• 38524 bullseye
• 38525 stammerer
• 38526 ferny
• ...