Bathmats

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of floor covering designed for use in bathrooms that provides a non-slip surface and absorbs water
2. A small rug typically placed near a bathtub or shower to prevent slipping and soak up moisture
3. An absorbent, often decorative mat used in bathing areas to enhance safety and comfort while drying off

Etymology: "Bathmats" is simply the plural of "bathmat," so its history is that of its parts. "Bath" comes from Old English "bæþ," a word shared across Germanic languages and related to the idea of warmth and immersion, while "mat" traces to Old English "matte," borrowed from Latin "matta," a word for a woven mat of rushes or grass. Put together, the compound describes a woven covering laid by the water's edge, and the plural simply adds the usual "-s" to count more than one.

Synonyms: bath rugs, floor mats