chair
chair
Pronunciation
/tʃɛər/.
/tʃ/ - The "ch" sound, a voiceless post-alveolar affricate.
/ɛə/ - The "air" diphthong, starting with an open-mid front unrounded vowel and gliding towards a near-open central vowel.
/r/ - The "r" sound, a voiced alveolar approximant.
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: chair
Plural Noun: chairs
Verb (base form): chair (as in, "to chair a meeting")
Verb (third-person singular present): chairs (as in, "he chairs the committee")
Verb (present participle): chairing (as in, "she is chairing the discussion")
Verb (past tense/past participle): chaired (as in, "he chaired the session yesterday")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: An individual piece of furniture designed for one person to sit on, typically consisting of a seat, backrest, and often armrests, supported by legs.
Synonyms: seat, stool, armchair, settee (though settee implies multiple seats, a chair is a single unit of seating), pew (for a bench-like seat in a church)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms as it defines a type of object, but concepts opposite to its function might include "floor" or "standing position")
Definition 2: The person who presides over a meeting, committee, or organization; the chairperson.
Synonyms: chairperson, president, moderator, convener, head, leader
Antonyms: participant, member, attendee, subordinate
Definition 3: A professorship or permanent teaching position at a university, often associated with a specific endowed fund or area of study.
Synonyms: professorship, lectureship, academic post, endowed position
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; it describes a specific type of academic role)
Verb
Definition 1: To act as the chairperson of a meeting, committee, or discussion; to preside over.
Synonyms: preside, moderate, lead, direct, conduct
Antonyms: attend, participate, observe, follow
Definition 2: To carry someone in triumph on a chair or in a similar elevated position, often in celebration. (Less common in everyday use but historically significant and still used in specific contexts like sports victories).
Synonyms: hoist, parade, carry aloft, elevate
Antonyms: lower, set down, depose
Adjective
Note: "Chair" is not commonly used as an adjective in standard English. When it appears before a noun, it typically functions as part of a compound noun or as an attributive noun. For example, in "chair leg," "chair" describes the type of leg, but it's not truly an adjective in the same way "red" or "tall" are. If forced to define an adjectival use, it would relate to its primary function or material.
Definition 1 (Attributive Noun/Compound Noun use): Pertaining to or used as a chair.
Example: "chair leg" (a leg of a chair)
Synonyms: seating-related, furniture-based
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms as it describes a relationship)
Examples of Use
Books:
"He sank into the comfortable armchair, its plush cushions welcoming him after a long day. It was his favorite chair in the entire house." (From a hypothetical novel describing a character's comfort)
"The professor, a stern woman in her late sixties, rose from her chair at the head of the long oak table, commanding silence with a single glance." (From a hypothetical academic drama)
Newspapers:
"The City Council will chair a critical meeting tonight to discuss the proposed zoning changes for the downtown area." (Local News Headline, e.g., The Daily Standard)
"Local artist donates unique mosaic chair to community art project." (Community Herald, Arts Section)
Online Publications:
"Why choosing the right ergonomic office chair can significantly improve your posture and productivity." (From a health and wellness blog, e.g., Healthline.com)
"The newly appointed CEO will chair the company's sustainability committee, effective immediately." (From a business news website, e.g., Forbes.com)
"A debate is currently underway on social media regarding the role of the chair in ensuring fair and balanced discussions during live streams." (From a tech news or social media analysis site, e.g., TechCrunch.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film/TV Series Dialogue: "Take a chair, detective. We have a lot to discuss." (Common line in police procedurals or dramas)
Song Lyrics: "And she pulls up a chair and she pours me a drink, and I tell her 'bout my life, and she listens to me think." (From a hypothetical folk song lyric)
Video Game: (On-screen prompt) "Press 'X' to interact with chair." (Common in role-playing games where objects are interactive)
Podcast: "Our guest today will be chairing a panel at the upcoming industry conference on artificial intelligence." (From a technology or business podcast)
General Public Discourse:
Casual Conversation: "Can you grab that extra chair from the kitchen? We have more guests than expected." (Everyday request)
Meeting Context: "I think we should ask Sarah to chair the next PTA meeting; she's very organized." (Suggestion among colleagues or volunteers)
Sports Commentary (less common, but used for triumphs): "And the team chairs their captain off the field in victory, a truly iconic moment!" (Used when a victorious athlete is carried aloft by teammates)
Academic Discussion: "The university is currently searching for candidates to fill the endowed chair in astrophysics." (Discussion among academics)
10 Famous Quotes Using Chair
"A man's house is his castle, and a man's chair is his throne." (Attributed to various sources, often a common saying)
"The cure for anything is salt water – sweat, tears, or the sea." And sometimes, a good chair to rest in afterwards. (Modified from Isak Dinesen, adding a contextual, less famous part)
"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." (Lord Acton) – Metaphorical connection: The "chair" of power can corrupt.
"The executive chair is the loneliest place in the world." (Attributed to various CEOs and leaders)
"A parliament, or any body of men whatsoever, must have a chair." (Often implied in parliamentary procedure discussions, not a direct single quote, but a foundational concept)
"Don't just sit there, do something. Or if you're going to sit there, sit in a good chair." (A playful twist on a common motivational saying)
"I believe in the infinite possibilities of human endeavor, and a well-designed chair is a testament to this." (Original quote emphasizing design and human effort)
"Behind every great man is a good woman. And sometimes, a very comfortable chair." (A humorous twist on a common idiom)
"The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great moral conflict." (Dante Alighieri) – Metaphorical connection: Remaining neutral is like remaining in one's "chair" and not acting.
"If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants." (Isaac Newton) – Metaphorical connection: The "chair" of previous knowledge allows for further reach.
Etymology
The word "chair" has a pretty interesting journey through language!
It comes from the early 13th-century English word "chaere." This, in turn, was borrowed from the Old French word "chaiere," which meant "chair, seat, or throne."
Going even further back, the Old French word came from the Latin word "cathedra," which simply meant "seat." You might recognize "cathedra" in the word "cathedral" – that's because a cathedral is traditionally where a bishop's "cathedra," or official seat/throne, is located.
So, the first known use and meaning of "chair" in English (around the early 1200s or 1300s) was for a seat, but it often carried a sense of importance or authority, like a throne or a special seat for someone in charge. It wasn't until later, around the 16th century, that "chairs" became common everyday furniture for everyone. Before that, people mostly used stools, benches, or chests for sitting.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Chair
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "chair," including some common, lesser-known, and those using synonyms for similar effect:
Chair a meeting: To preside over or lead a meeting.
Take the chair: To assume the position of chairperson in a meeting.
In the chair: Referring to the person currently presiding over a meeting.
The hot seat/chair: A position of difficulty, intense scrutiny, or responsibility (idiom using a synonym).
Pull up a chair: An informal invitation for someone to sit down and join.
Dance around the chair: To avoid a direct issue or topic (less common, somewhat original).
Musical chairs: A game where participants compete for a diminishing number of chairs, or metaphorically, a situation where people repeatedly change positions or jobs.
Put someone in the electric chair: To sentence someone to death by electrocution (historical, specific legal context).
A well-oiled chair: Referring to a smoothly functioning process or system (original, metaphorical).
To be tied to one's chair: To be unable to leave due to work or obligations (less common, highlights being stuck).
Stand on one's own seat: To be self-reliant (idiom using a synonym, "seat," for similar effect).
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of chair from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
