press-bed Obs. exc. dial.
A bed constructed to fold up, when not in use, into a press (press n.1 15) closed by a door or doors; sometimes less correctly applied to a box-bed (which does not fold up) shut in by folding doors. Also attrib.
| 1660 Pepys Diary 14 May, The Judge and I..lay in one press bed, there being two more in the same room. 1670 Redway in Bedloe Popish Plot (1679) 20 An inclosed Bed (commonly called a Press-Bed). 1708 Phil. Trans. XXVI. 39 She removed a Table Press-Bed from the Place where the Hair Trunk stood. 1785 Boswell Tour Hebrides 21 Aug. an. 1773, [At Aberdeen] I was to sleep in a little press-bed in Dr. Johnson's room. I had it wheeled out into the dining-room. 1843 Ballantine Gaberlunzie i. 21 The press-bed doors, stools, tables, and other furniture. |
So † press-bedstead.
| 1683 Tryon Way to Health 590 You are to destroy all Press-Bedsteads which stand in Corners of Rooms, being made up with Boards so close, that the Air cannot penetrate or dry up and consume the..Vapours that are contracted. |