ENGLISH
REFERENCE

gladstone

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈɡɫædˌstoʊn// UK //ɡlˈædstəʊn// glad·stone Archaic

n. a small suitcase that opens into two equal parts. It was popular a long time ago and is usually made of stiff leather.

n. a light travelling bag or portmanteau made of stiff leather, constructed on a hinged iron frame that allows it to open into two equal compartments. Named after the British Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone.


SIMPLE

He packed his clothes into an old leather gladstone.

CONTEXTUAL

The detective arrived at the scene carrying a heavy gladstone filled with various forensic tools.

COMPLEX

In Victorian literature, the gladstone often serves as a symbol of the mobile middle class, representing a shift toward more compact and efficient modes of personal travel.

Synonyms
Origin

From Old English glæd (“shining”) + stān (“stone”).

Usage

Often used as 'gladstone bag'; when used alone, it remains a countable noun.

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