undercloth

noun12

1. •
   A tablecloth laid directly on the table, over which are placed other coverings such as an additional tablecloth that allows the undercloth to show through, or an additional tablecloth that completely covers the undercloth when it is used for stability or noise muffling, or simple mats that provide additional protection.

   • Where very hot dishes are to be placed the table should have added to the usual protection of an undercloth the further protection of asbestos or basketwork mats. — 2022
2. •
   A protective cloth that goes underneath something.

   • Fire apparatus used for confining the smoke, and of an undercloth upon which the insects are made to fall — 1825
3. •
   A cloth that is placed beneath a saddle.

   • Amiel checked the mare's hooves and shoes, to be sure she was fit to ride, then lifted down an undercloth and, at Alaïs' request, a riding rather than hunting saddle, then a bridle. — 2009
4. •
   A cloth on which a body rests as bedding.

   • It. a Joyned beddsteed, a fether beed, a Matteres, an undercloth, ij bolsters, ij pillowes, a coverlett and ij olde Curteynes — 1880
5. •
   The lower of two cloths that together perform some function.

   • New canvas is used first as undercloths, and these as required are made to replace discarded overcloths. — 1931
6. •
   A cloth that is used as a base surface for some type of work, including cases where it is incorporated into the work.

   • Felt undercloth is available which is ruled and sectioned, to help you keep your characters in straight columns. — 1989
7. •
   A fabric lining, especially one that adheres to the cloth that shows.

   • In order to prevent this, following measures are to be considered: ( i ) To make the grey cloth or undercloth layer somewhat thicker. ( ii ) Use such fibre as back grey that absorbs dye better. — 1991
8. •
   A type of fabric intended to be used as an undercloth.

   • He either buys an undercloth, light merino, or ordinary suiting, with three-eighths or quarter blood. — 1924
9. •
   Any of various undergarments made from a rectangular piece of cloth.

   • Assistants help the actors dress and wrap the yards of starched undercloth which give many of the characters their bulbous shape. — 2003
10. •
    A cloth used to cover the genitals.

    • I found myself in a dripping, water-soaked world, naked save for the undercloth about my loins, unarmed save for Cylon's knife, which remained tangled in that undercloth. — 1957
11. •
    A cloth used to bind the breasts.

    • The women wear a white bodycloth, a white undercloth tied round the chest, tightly wrapped square across the breasts, and reaching to the knees, and a white cloth worn like a cap on the head. — 2020
12. •
    A cloth worn beneath a robe or other garment and that peeks out.

    • When the monk is standing up, the only visible part of his undercloth is the small section that hangs below the bottom of the robe. — 1976