escritoire

noun

Etymology: From French escritoire, from escrire (“to write”) (obsolete forms of écritoire and écrire, respectively) + -oire (“a tool or object”). Doublet of scriptorium.

1. A writing desk with a hinged door that provides the writing surface.

   “To surprise him, by finding on his table the books he liked, or the escritoire he had occasion for, gave Louisa the most delightful moments life had hitherto afforded her;...”

   “Fine promenades, domed saloons, long galleries, sunny balconies, confidential passages, bridal chambers, state-rooms plenty as pigeon-holes, and out-of-the-way retreats like secret drawers in an escritoire, present like facilities for publicity or privacy.”