chiton

[kahyt-n, kahy-ton]

noun

1. Also called sea cradle. 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 called: coat-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

Related Words

• blouse 
• coat 
• jacket 
• robe