linoleum

Meaning

An inexpensive waterproof covering used especially for floors, made from solidified linseed oil over a burlap or canvas backing, or from its modern replacement, polyvinyl chloride.

Synonyms

lino

carpet

floor-cloth

floor covering

oilcloth

rug

vinyl

waxcloth

varnished fabric

varnished cloth

varnished cambric

canvas

leather cloth

Pronounced as (IPA)

/lɪˈnəʊli.əm/

Etymology

Coined by English inventor Frederick Walton c. 1864 from Latin līnum (“flax”) + oleum (“oil”). Used as a trade name but never registered as a trademark, it was the first product whose name was ruled to be genericized.