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ALMYRA

s. H. almārī . A wardrobe, chest of drawers, or like piece of (closed) furniture. The word is in general use, by masters and servants in Anglo-Indian households, in both N. and S. India. It has come to us from the Port. almario, but it is the same word as Fr. armoire , Old E. ambry [for which see N.E.D. ] &c., and Sc. awmry , orginating in the Lat. armarium , or -ria , which occurs also in L. Gr. as ἀρμαρὴ , ἀρμάριον .

Historical Citations (3)

  1. c. B.C. 200.—"Hoc est quod olim clanculum ex armario te surripuisse aiebas uxori tuae...."—Plautus, Men. iii. 3. A.D. 1450.—"Item, I will my chambre prestes haue ... the thone of thame the to almer, & the tothir of yame the tother almar whilk I ordnyd for kepyng of vestmentes."—Will of Sir T. Cumberlege, in Academy, Sept. 27, 1879, p. 231.
  2. "—— item ane langsettle, item ane almarie, ane Kist, ane sait burde...."—Ext. Records Burgh of Glasgow, 1876, 130.
  3. "Sahib, have you looked in Mr Morrison's almirah?"—Life in Mofussil, i. 34.

From Hobson-Jobson by Yule & Burnell, 1886.