pillowbeer

English

Etymology

From earlier pillowbere, from pillow +‎ bear (“pillowcase”), from Middle English bēre (“pillowcase”), from Old English *bera (as in Old English hlēorbera (“cheek-cover”)), of obscure and uncertain origin.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈpɪləʊˌbɪə/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈpɪloʊˌbɪɚ/
• (obsolete) IPA^(key): /-bɛː(ɹ)/

Noun

pillowbeer (plural pillowbeers)

1. (now Northern England, US regional) A pillowcase.
   • 1599, Joseph Hall, Virgidemiarum: The three last bookes : Of byting Satyres, page 85:

     When Zoylus was sicke, he knew not where / Saue his wrought night cap, and laune Pillow-bere:

   • 1635, Simon Birckbek, The Protestants Evidence, taken out of good records, page 64:

     Ne was there such another Pardoner, For in his male had he a pillowbere, Which as he sayd was our Ladyes vayle.

   • 1749, Henry Fielding, Tom Jones, Folio Society, published 1973, page 337:

     she had so well covered herself with a pillowbeer which she there found, that her regard to decency was not in the least violated by the presence of so many men as were now in the room.

Alternative forms

• pillow bear
• pillowbere, pillow-bere
• pillowbier