Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

accoutre

[uh-koo-ter]
See more synonyms for accoutre on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object), ac·cou·tred, ac·cou·tring. Chiefly British.
  1. accouter.
Show More

accouter

[uh-koo-ter]
verb (used with object)
  1. to equip or outfit, especially with military clothes, equipment, etc.
Show More
Also especially British, ac·cou·tre.

Origin of accouter

1600–10; earlier accou(s)tre < French accoutrer, Old French acou(s)trer to arrange, accommodate, equip, perhaps < Vulgar Latin *accō(n)s(ū)tūrāre to sew together, mend (see ac-, couture), though loss of 2nd -ū- is unexplained
Related formsun·ac·cou·tered, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

equipcostumeembellishoutfitdecorateattirerigarrayfurnishclothe

Examples from the Web for accoutre

Historical Examples

  • Let us exchange shields, and accoutre ourselves in Grecian suits; whether craft or courage, who will ask of an enemy?

    The Aeneid of Virgil

    Virgil

  • Dietrich then donned his armour and was assisted to accoutre himself by Hildebrand.

British Dictionary definitions for accoutre

accoutre

US accouter

verb
  1. (tr; usually passive) to provide with equipment or dress, esp military
Show More

Word Origin

C16: from Old French accoustrer to equip with clothing, ultimately related to Latin consuere to sew together
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for accoutre

accouter

v.

also accoutre, 1590s, from French acoutrer, earlier acostrer (13c.) "arrange, dispose, put on (clothing)," originally "sew up," from Vulgar Latin accosturare "to sew together, sew up," from Latin ad- "to" (see ad-) + *consutura "a sewing together," from Latin consutus, past participle of consuere "to sew together," from con- (see com-) + suere "to sew" (see suture). Related: Accoutered; accoutred; accoutering; accoutring.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper