farthingale

noun far·thin·gale \ ˈfär-t͟hən-ˌgāl , -t͟hiŋ- \

Definition of farthingale

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

Recent Examples of farthingale from the Web

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

— james jorden, New York Times, "Finally, a Well-Staged ‘Don Giovanni’ in New York," 11 Aug. 2017
The bright and complex costumes, with some characters in apparel like Elizabethan farthingales, are equally picturesque.

— alastair macaulay, New York Times, "Dance This Fall: Indian Mythology and Ballets by Women," 15 Sep. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'farthingale.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology 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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1552

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year