Dictionary Definition
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Etymology
From foot + restTranslations
a support on which to rest the feet
- Hungarian: lábtámasz, lábzsámoly, lábtartó
Extensive Definition
A footstool is a piece of furniture, the purpose of
which is to support one's feet. There are two main types of
footstool, which can be loosely categorized into two categories,
those designed for comfort and those designed for function.
Footstools for comfort
This type of footstool is used to provide comfort
to a person seated, for example, in a chair or sofa. It is typically a short,
wide, four-legged stool
with a padded top, upholstered in a fabric or
animal hide,
such as leather. This type of footstool is also a type of Ottoman
and it often referred to simply as an Ottoman.
It allows the seated person to rest their feet upon it, supporting
their legs at a mostly horizontal level, thus giving rise to use of
the term footrest, for this item.
Footstools for function
This type of footstool, also known simply as a
stool, is used as a short
stepladder or to
support a person's (usually a child's) feet that do not reach the
floor when seated. In the former case, the footstool is used by
placing it on a flat surface and standing on it to extend one's
reach. In the latter case, the footstool is placed under the feet
of a sitting person so that the person's feet may rest comfortably
on it. An example of the latter is the type of piano footstool used in
conjunction with a piano
bench.It is also used to make the blood circulation of your
body flow more freely than sitting down.
Etiquette
Generally, any object of suitable elevation may
be employed as a makeshift footrest. Another seat, a desk, or a table
may serve. These options are usually considered inconsiderate since
feet, and especially shoes (by their nature) tend to collect more
dirt than a person's working area or pants.
Notes
footrest in Spanish: Reposapiés
footrest in Dutch Low Saxon:
Voetenbänksien
footrest in Finnish: Jakkara