Directoire

[ dee-rek-twar ]

adjective

1. noting or pertaining to the style of French furnishings and decoration of the mid-1790s, characterized by an increasing use of Greco-Roman forms along with an introduction, toward the end, of Egyptian motifs: usually includes the Consulate period.
2. (of costume) in the style of the period of the French Directory.

noun

1. French History. directory ( def 5 ).

Directoire

/ dirɛktwar /

noun

1. See Directory
   history the French Directory See Directory

adjective

1. of, in, or relating to a decorative style of the end of the 18th century in France; a form of neoclassicism
2. characteristic of women's dress during the French Directory, typically an almost transparent dress with the waistline under the bust

Word History and Origins

Origin of Directoire¹

From French; directory

Example Sentences

Correspondance diplomatique: le ministre de Talleyrand sous le Directoire.

From Project Gutenberg

Everybody said that the world had not seen such undressing in public since the Grecian revival at the time of the Directoire.

From Project Gutenberg

We see in an adjacent wall a marble mtre—the standard measure put there under the Directoire.

From Project Gutenberg

No. 48 was the well-known dancing-hall, Pavillon de lchiquier, before and under the Directoire.

From Project Gutenberg

We will talk instead, if you like, of directoire gowns, and Flying Star's chance for the gold cup.

From Project Gutenberg