Dictionary

farthingale

noun far·thin·gale \ˈfär-thən-ˌgāl, -thiŋ-\

Definition of FARTHINGALE

:  a support (as of hoops) worn especially in the 16th century beneath a skirt to expand it at the hipline
ADVERTISEMENT

Origin of FARTHINGALE

modification of Middle French verdugale, from Old Spanish verdugado, from verdugo young shoot of a tree, from verde green, from Latin viridis — more at verdant
First Known Use: 1552

Browse

2 ENTRIES FOUND:
Next Word in the Dictionary: farthingale chairPrevious Word in the Dictionary: farthingAll Words Near: farthingale
ADVERTISEMENT
How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.
Test your vocab with our fun, fast game
Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears