portman
n. countable C2 Proficiency US //ˈpɔɹtmən// port·man
n. a large suitcase that opens into two equal parts. It is an old-fashioned word for a bag used to carry clothes while traveling.
n. a large, hinged suitcase that opens into two equal sections. Historically used for carrying apparel and personal effects during travel; now largely replaced by modern luggage terms.
He packed his suits into the heavy leather portman.
The porter struggled to lift the brass-bound portman onto the luggage rack of the steam train.
In Victorian literature, the portman often serves as a symbol of the traveler's social standing and the permanence of their journey across the continent.
Usage
Often used in historical or literary contexts; less common in modern travel descriptions.