encoignure

In its origin the thing, like the word, is French, and the delightful Louis Quinze or Louis Seize encoignure in lacquer or in mahogany elaborately mounted in gilded bronze is not the least alluring piece of the great period of French furniture.

ENCOIGNURE, in furniture, literally the angle, or return, formed by the junction of two walls.

The word is now chiefly used to designate a small armoire, commode, cabinet or cupboard made to fit a corner; a chaise encoignure is called in English a three-cornered chair.

Il avait quitt� son encoignure et se promenait par le caf�, parlant haut, le verre � la main.