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Watteau back

noun

  1. a loose, full back of a woman's gown, formed by wide box pleats hanging from a high shoulder yoke and extending to the hem in an unbroken line.


Watteau back

noun

  1. a section at the back of a woman's dress that is caught in pleats or gathers at the neck and falls unbelted to the floor
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of Watteau back1

First recorded in 1895–1900; after a type of gown depicted in paintings by Watteau
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Example Sentences

“From the front it looks like a classic dress but once she turned around you saw that amazing draped Watteau back. It’s an 18th-century style named after the painter,” he explained.

"From the front it looks like a classic dress but once she turned around you saw that amazing draped Watteau back. It's an 18th-century style named after the painter," he explained.

From US News

Marion Cotillard was one of the first to walk the red carpet in a polka dot cutout Christian Dior Haute Couture dress with a Watteau back.

From Forbes

It is cut low in the neck, and has those sleeves which open above the elbow, and a watteau back.

I told Mademoiselle Leroe to make it in that style; that little watteau back is so very becoming to small girls.

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WatteauWattenscheid