peruke

[ puh-rook ]

noun

1. a man's wig of the 17th and 18th centuries, usually powdered and gathered at the back of the neck with a ribbon; periwig.

peruke

/ pəˈruːk /

noun

1. a type of wig for men, fashionable in the 17th and 18th centuries Also calledperiwig

Other Words From

• pe·ruked adjective
• pe·rukeless adjective
• unpe·ruked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of peruke¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Middle French perru(c)que, “head of hair, wig”; further origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of peruke¹

C16: from French perruque, from Italian perrucca wig, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

This statue used to be decked out on the occasion of the procession in the long peruke and neckcloth of the reign of Charles II.

From Project Gutenberg

There was food for greater mirth in the appearance on the road of a solitary figure in a wine-colored coat and bushy black peruke.

From Project Gutenberg

A shoeblack in the foreground is teaching a poodle to dance; the comical animal's head is decorated with an old peruke.

From Project Gutenberg

Periwig, per′i-wig, n. a peruke or small wig, usually shortened to Wig: an artificial head of hair.

From Project Gutenberg

Peruke, per-ūk′, or per′ūk, n. an artificial cap of hair: a periwig—also Perruque.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• toupee