A settee is a type of furniture that is designed for seating multiple people at once. It typically has an upholstered back and often arms, and is usually placed against a wall in a hallway or living room. Settees have a long history, dating back to the 17th century, and have evolved over time to become larger couches that can accommodate more people simultaneously. They are often used in public spaces such as libraries and waiting rooms, as well as in private homes. One interesting aspect of settees is their etymology. The word settee likely traces its roots to the French word sete, which was derived from the Latin sedere meaning to sit. The word itself can be broken down into two components: set, meaning to put, and tee, meaning small object. This linguistic combination produces a word which describes an object of furniture that is used for sitting upon. Settees come in a variety of styles and designs, from traditional to modern. They can be made from a range of materials, including leather, fabric, and velvet. Some settees also have additional features, such as reclining seats or built-in storage. Overall, settees are a versatile and functional piece of furniture that can add both style and comfort to any room. Whether you are looking for a cozy spot to read a book or a comfortable place to entertain guests, a settee is a great choice.
furniture, seating, upholstered, design, materials
Settee is a noun derived from the Middle English word, setel, and the Old Norse word, seta, both of which signified a bench. The term is commonly used to refer to a couch or sofa. Synonyms for settee include divan, couch, sofa, lounge, and chaise. Antonyms include chair, desk, and bed while cognates include settle, settee, sedans, and sofas. Variants of the word settee may include settee chair or settee sofa.
Etymology, Morphology, Word Forms, Semantics, Meaning, Synonyms, Antonyms, Cognates, Variants, Middle English, Old Norse.
The word ‘settee’, which has its earliest recorded appearance in the 17th century, has an interesting etymological and morphological evolution. Its origin is even more fascinating as it likely traces its roots to the French word ‘sete’ which was derived from the Latin ‘sedere’ meaning ‘to sit’. The word itself can be broken down into two components ‘set’, meaning ‘to put’, and ‘tee’, meaning small object. This linguistic combination produces a word which describes an object of furniture that is used for sitting upon. The settee’s morphological evolution can be traced through the evolution of furniture; historically chairs were designed to accommodate only one person, while a settee was designed to accommodate two or more. Over time, settees evolved in design and size to become larger couches which are able to accommodate more people simultaneously. The modern settees are often used in living rooms, offices, and waiting areas. From a pragmatic perspective, the word ‘settee’ is used to both describe and to refer to a specific type of furniture and functions as a noun in the sentence.
Etymology, Morphology, Settee, Pragmatics, Historical Evolution
Settee is a piece of furniture with an upholstered back and often arms, typically placed against a wall in a hallway or living room. It is usually used for seating multiple people at once. Equivalent words for ‘Settee’ in other languages include: sofa, divan, davenport, chesterfield, daybed, banquette, couch, chaise lounge, loveseat, chaise longue, ottoman, fainting couch, canapé, tatami and futon. In French, a settee is known as un canapé, un divan, un sofa, and un fauteuil; in Spanish it is a sofá, un diván, un canapé, un sillón and un fauteuil; in German a settee is known as ein Sofa, ein Diwan, ein Chesterfield and ein Sessel; and in Italian the term for a settee is un divano, un sofà, una poltrona, and una chaise longue. Additionally, in Japanese, the equivalent word for a settee is a tatami.
Settee, sofa, divan, davenport, chesterfield, daybed, banquette, couch, chaise lounge, loveseat, chaise longue, ottoman, fainting couch, canapé, tatami, futon, un canapé, un divan, un sofa, un fauteuil, sofá, un sillón, ein Sofa, ein Diwan, ein Chesterfie
A settee is a type of furniture that has a back and arms, and typically seats two or three people. It is usually upholstered, with an exposed wooden frame. Settees are often used in living rooms, bedrooms, and other areas of the home. Settees are also used in public spaces such as libraries and waiting rooms.
Settee, furniture, upholstered, seating, lounge, sofa, bench, living room, bedroom, public spaces.
CITATION : "Robert Johnson. 'Settee.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=187826 (Accessed on July 06, 2025)"
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