petticoat

  1. Noun.  (historical) A tight, usually padded undercoat worn by men over a shirt and under the doublet.
  2. Noun.  (historical) A woman's undercoat, worn to be displayed beneath an open gown.
  3. Noun.  (archaic, _) A type of ornamental skirt or underskirt, often displayed below a dress; chiefly in plural, designating a woman's skirts collectively.
  4. Noun.  A light woman's undergarment worn under a dress or skirt, and hanging either from the shoulders or (now especially) from the waist; a kind of slip, worn to make the skirt fuller, or for extra warmth.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.