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

The farthingale sleeve is made from a thick cotton material called fustian, stitched with 14 casings of linen each containing a hoop of baleen, also known as whalebone.

From BBC

Freed from the hassle of manipulating doublets and farthingales, the performers can move naturally and easily.

From New York Times

The bright and complex costumes, with some characters in apparel like Elizabethan farthingales, are equally picturesque.

From New York Times

Titania is first seen in a frothy farthingale.

From New York Times

So we have the underskirts, overskirts, stockings, bodice, farthingale, corset, wig, gloves, fan, jewelry.

From New York Times