berlin
See also: Berlin, Berliin, berlín, Berlín, and Berlîn
English
Alternative forms
- berline
Etymology
From the name of the German capital city Berlin, where it was invented in the 17th century.
Pronunciation
- (General American) IPA(key): [bɚˈlɪn]
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /bəˈlɪn/
Audio (UK) (file)
Noun
berlin (plural berlins)
- A four-wheeled carriage with a separate sheltered seat behind the body.
- 1792, Charlotte Smith, Desmond, Broadview 2001, p. 261:
- I was then giving some instructions about the forwarding my trunk, and was just going to mount my new purchase in the yard of the inn; when a berlin, apparently belonging to a foreigner of distinction, attended by three French or Swiss servants, drove to the door […] .
- 1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], OCLC 21345056, page 263:
- I passed her in his berlin the other day, and just caught a glimpse of very pretty features, with an interesting and sad expression. I believe that she is his wife, because I always believe for the best.
- Coordinate terms: calèche, landau
- 1792, Charlotte Smith, Desmond, Broadview 2001, p. 261:
Further reading
- berlin (carriage) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia