Dolly Varden

American  

[dol-ee vahr-dn] / ˈdɒl i ˈvɑr dn /

noun

1. 1. a woman's costume of the late 19th century, including a flower-trimmed, broad-brimmed hat and a dress consisting of a tight bodice and bouffant panniers in a flower print over a calf-length quilted petticoat.

   2. the hat of this costume.

   3. the dress of this costume.

2. Also Dolly Varden trout a char, Salvelinus malma, inhabiting fresh and marine waters of western North America and eastern Asia, formerly considered the same species as the bull trout.

3. Newfoundland. a large earthenware drinking cup used on fishing vessels.

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Dolly Varden British  

/ ˈdɒlɪ ˈvɑːdən /

noun

1. a woman's large-brimmed hat trimmed with flowers

2. a red-spotted trout, Salvelinus malma, occurring in lakes in W North America

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Etymology

Origin of Dolly Varden

First recorded in 1870–75; costume named after a colorfully dressed character in Dickens' Barnaby Rudge (1841); applied to the fish in allusion to its coloring

Example Sentences

For more than 20 years, salmon caught outside their typical range have been recorded by subsistence harvesters who target other Arctic species, including Dolly Varden and Arctic char.

From Science Daily • Jun. 5, 2024

In the course of the week, they may troll for salmon, cast a spinner or fly for pike or hike into small streams for trout, Dolly Varden and grayling.”

From Washington Post • Aug. 31, 2017

He caught nine Dolly Varden trout, while I landed three with hardware.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 20, 2014

Bills believes the picture of Kate and another by Frith of Dolly Varden, a character from Barnaby Rudge, were the only paintings of his characters Dickens actually commissioned.

From The Guardian • Jun. 18, 2012

The other girls were not jealous because Laura had mittens, and candy, and a doll, because Laura was the littlest girl, except Baby Carrie and Aunt Eliza’s little baby, Dolly Varden.

From "Little House in the Big Woods" by Laura Ingalls Wilder