partlet

American  

[pahrt-lit] / ˈpɑrt lɪt /

noun

1. a garment for the neck and shoulders, usually ruffled and having a collar, worn in the 16th century.

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partlet British  

/ ˈpɑːtlɪt /

noun

1. a woman's garment covering the neck and shoulders, worn esp during the 16th century

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Etymology

Origin of partlet

1510–20; unexplained variant of late Middle English patelet < Middle French patelette strip of cloth, band, literally, little paw, equivalent to Old French pate paw + -lete -let

Example Sentences

And also she hath not one good partlet to put upon her neck, nor but one good coif to put upon her head.

From Project Gutenberg

Early in the opera it transpires that Constance Partlet, the daughter of a humble pew-opener at the Parish Church, has a doting love for the vicar, Dr. Daly.

From Project Gutenberg

Hence partlet, a hen, on account of the ruffled feathers, a term used alike by Chaucer and Shakespeare.

From Project Gutenberg

Partlet, p�rt′let, n. a ruff or band worn round the neck or shoulders by women: a hen, from its habit of ruffling the feathers round its neck.

From Project Gutenberg

Again, in the “Nuns’ Priest’s Tale” the “poure wydwe, somdel stope in age,” with her smoky cottage and the humble stock of her yard, are just the subdued and tender background which the poet needs for the mock-chivalric glories of his Chanticleer and Partlet.

From Project Gutenberg