dumbwaiter
Small service elevator
A dumbwaiter is a small elevator used to move food, dishes, or other items between floors—typically from a kitchen to a dining room above.
The name comes from its function as a silent servant.
In older usage, a dumbwaiter could also be a wheeled serving table or tiered stand for holding dishes.
Grooved wheel for rope
- hoistRaise with tackle
- counterweightBalancing mass in machinery
- ropeThick twisted fibers
- cableHeavy-duty woven line
winch · shaft · motor · gearbox · sprocket · crank · lever · drum
Place serving meals
- kitchenFood preparation room
- butlerChief domestic servant
- pantryHousehold provisions closet
- serviceAid or maintenance
dishes · trays · silverware · linens · china · tableware · foodservice · banquet
Narrow vertical passage
- alcoveRecessed area in room
- nicheRecessed wall space
- cubbyholeSmall enclosed storage space
- panelDistinct flat section
hoistway · stairwell · passageway · partition · concealed · hidden · built-in · recessed
Items needing cleaning
- firewoodCut logs for burning
- groceriesFood bought at stores
- householdDomestic unit of residents
- choresRoutine household tasks
convenience · labor-saving · multi-story · basement · attic · Victorian · mansion · townhouse
Minimizing area used
- small-scaleLimited in size or scope
- miniatureReduced-scale representation
- cabinetEnclosed storage furniture
- shelvingHorizontal storage surfaces
apartment · narrow · fitted · efficient · unobtrusive · discreet · tucked-away
One employed to serve
- footmanUniformed domestic male attendant
- below-stairsServant areas of house
- EdwardianOf early twentieth-century Britain
- GeorgianOf four kings' era
manor · scullery-maid · class · hierarchy · Downton · period · antique · traditional
pulley
Grooved wheel for rope
- hoistRaise with tackle
- counterweightBalancing mass in machinery
- ropeThick twisted fibers
cable · winch · shaft · motor · gearbox · sprocket · crank · lever · drum · sheave
restaurant
Place serving meals
service · dishes · trays · silverware · linens · china · tableware · foodservice · banquet · catering
shaft
Narrow vertical passage
panel · hoistway · stairwell · passageway · partition · concealed · hidden · built-in · recessed · flush-mounted
laundry
Items needing cleaning
chores · convenience · labor-saving · multi-story · basement · attic · Victorian · mansion · townhouse · brownstone
space-saving
Minimizing area used
- small-scaleLimited in size or scope
- miniatureReduced-scale representation
- cabinetEnclosed storage furniture
shelving · apartment · narrow · fitted · efficient · unobtrusive · discreet · tucked-away
servant
One employed to serve
- footmanUniformed domestic male attendant
- below-stairsServant areas of house
- EdwardianOf early twentieth-century Britain
Georgian · manor · scullery-maid · class · hierarchy · Downton · period · antique · traditional · retrofit
- Victorian mansionparlor, foyer, ballroom, grand staircase, chandelier
- antique furnitureantique furniture, chairs, tables, highboys, cabinets
- lifting equipmenthoist, scissor lift, davit, crane, elevator
- servant quartersservants, servant, domestic staff, household staff, below stairs
- tenementsapartment, railroad flat, railroad apartment, cold water flat, walk-ups
- Victorian homegas lamp, oil lamp, sconce, candelabra, chandelier
dumbwaiterpassenger elevator
Vertical people-carrying compartment
elevator · lift · people mover · escalator · freight elevator