E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Eper’gne (2 syl.).
A large ornamental stand placed in the middle of a dining-table. It is generally said to be a French word, but the French call such an ornamental stand a surtout, strangely adopted by us to signify a frock-coat, which the French call a pardessus. The nearest French word is épargne, saving, as caisse d’épargne, a savings bank; verb épargner, to spare or save. (See ENGLISH FRENCH.)
