farthingale

[ fahr-thing-geyl ]

noun

1. a hoop skirt or framework for expanding a woman's skirt, worn in the 16th and 17th centuries.

farthingale

/ ˈfɑːðɪŋˌɡeɪl /

noun

1. a hoop or framework worn under skirts, esp in the Elizabethan period, to shape and spread them

Word History and Origins

Origin of farthingale¹

1545–55; earlier verdynggale < Middle French verdugale, alteration of Old Spanish verdugado, equivalent to verdug ( o ) tree-shoot, rod ( verd ( e ) green (< Latin viridis ) + -ugo noun suffix) + -ado -ade ¹; so called from rod used to extend skirt

Word History and Origins

Origin of farthingale¹

C16: from French verdugale , from Old Spanish verdugado , from verdugo rod

Example Sentences

Mistress Dorothy Farthingale is seated in the middle of the stage, reading a letter and occasionally sighing.

From Project Gutenberg

The scene is an apartment in the mansion of Sir Thomas Farthingale.

From Project Gutenberg