berlin

See also: Berlin, Berliin, berlín, Berlín, and Berlîn

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From the name of the German capital city Berlin, where it was invented in the 17th century.

Pronunciation

Noun

berlin (plural berlins)

  1. A four-wheeled carriage with a separate sheltered seat behind the body.
    • 1792, Charlotte Smith, Desmond, Broadview 2001, p. 261:
      I was then giving some instructions about the forwarding my trunk, and was just going to mount my new purchase in the yard of the inn; when a berlin, apparently belonging to a foreigner of distinction, attended by three French or Swiss servants, drove to the door […] .
    • 1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], OCLC 21345056, page 263:
      I passed her in his berlin the other day, and just caught a glimpse of very pretty features, with an interesting and sad expression. I believe that she is his wife, because I always believe for the best.
    Coordinate terms: calèche, landau

Further reading
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