Langimage
English

petticoat

|pet/ti/coat|

B2

🇺🇸

/ˈpɛtɪˌkoʊt/

🇬🇧

/ˈpɛtɪˌkəʊt/

undergarment

Etymology
Etymology Information

'petticoat' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'peticote,' where 'peti' meant 'small' and 'cote' meant 'coat.'

Historical Evolution

'peticote' transformed into the modern English word 'petticoat' through Middle English.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'a small coat,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a woman's undergarment.'

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a woman's light, loose undergarment hanging from the shoulders or the waist, worn under a skirt or dress.

She wore a petticoat under her dress to give it more volume.

Synonyms

Noun 2

(historical) A skirt worn by men in the 16th and 17th centuries.

In the 17th century, men sometimes wore petticoats as part of their attire.

Last updated: 2025/02/07 07:40