Dictionary

pillowbeer en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈpɪloʊˌbɪɚ/ (US)
• /-bɛː(ɹ)/ (obsolete)
• /ˈpɪləʊˌbɪə/ (UK)

Etymology

From earlier pillowbere, from pillow + bear (“pillowcase”), from Middle English bēre (“pillowcase”), from Old English *bera (as in Old English hlēorbera (“cheek-cover”)), of obscure and uncertain origin.

Meanings

1. (Northern-England, US, regional) A pillowcase.
   • she had so well covered herself with a pillowbeer which she there found, that her regard to decency was not in the least violated by the presence of so many men as were now in the room. 1749, Henry Fielding, Tom Jones, Folio Society, published 1973, page 337:
   • When Zoylus was sicke, he knew not where / Saue his wrought night cap, and laune Pillow-bere: 1599, Joseph Hall, Virgidemiarum: The three last bookes : Of byting Satyres, page 85:
   • Ne was there such another Pardoner, For in his male had he a pillowbere, Which as he sayd was our Ladyes vayle. 1635, Simon Birckbek, The Protestants Evidence, taken out of good records, page 64:

Forms