in reference to an austere order of monks, late 14c., from Latin Cartusianus, in reference to the order founded 1086 by St. Bruno at Chartreux, village in Dauphiné, France. Compare chartreuse and Charterhouse.

"room where a lady may retire to be alone or to receive her intimate friends," 1777, from French boudoir (18c.), literally "pouting room," from bouder "to pout, sulk," which, like pout and bouffant, probably ultimately is imitative of puffing.

1882, short for magneto-electric machine.

"without luster," 1796, from luster (n.1)  + -less.

"tall and sturdy, robust," originally applied to women, 1650s, from present participle of strap (v.), apparently in the sense of "to beat with a strap." Compare similar senses of whopping, spanking, bouncing and other present-participle adjectives of violent action expressing something large in size.

also wing-span, 1894, from wing (n.) + span (n.1).

also timespan, 1897, from time (n.) + span (n.1).

also life-span, 1918, from life (n.) + span (n.1).

"a history or background," especially for a fictional character or situation, c. 1990, from backgroundstory.

"fodder for cattle packed in a silo," 1884, alteration (probably by influence of silo) of ensilage.