chiton

[ kahyt-n, kahy-ton ]

noun

1. Also called sea cra·dle [see, kreyd-l]. a mollusk of the class Amphineura, having a mantle covered with calcareous plates, found adhering to rocks.
2. a gown or tunic, with or without sleeves, worn in ancient Greece.

chiton

/ ˈkaɪtən; -tɒn /

noun

1. (in ancient Greece and Rome) a loose woollen tunic worn knee length by men and full length by women
2. Also calledcoat-of-mail shell any small primitive marine mollusc of the genus Chiton and related genera, having an elongated body covered with eight overlapping shell plates: class Amphineura

Word History and Origins

Origin of chiton¹

First recorded in 1810–20; from Greek chitṓn “tunic,” from Semitic (compare Hebrew kuttōneth “tunic”); ultimately from Sumerian

Word History and Origins

Origin of chiton¹

C19: from Greek khitōn coat of mail, of Semitic origin; related to Hebrew kethōnet

Example Sentences

He wished his own clothing away, and fumbled for a second at the two fastenings that held Kathy's chiton in place.

From Project Gutenberg

He turned to Kathy, who had devoted the previous few seconds to getting her chiton on again.

From Project Gutenberg

He thought she might have deliberately vanished her chiton only a second or so before he entered.

From Project Gutenberg

Here, in this armoured chiton, would be an object that a poet might readily call "a chiton of bronze."

From Project Gutenberg

Again, such a bronze chiton might stop a spear of which the impetus was spent in penetrating the shield.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• blouse
• coat
• jacket
• robe