Word Origin
See more synonyms for frock on Thesaurus.com a gown or dress worn by a girl or woman. a loose outer garment worn by peasants and workers; smock. a coarse outer garment with large sleeves, worn by monks. frock coat .Show More
to provide with, or clothe in, a frock. to invest with priestly or clerical office. Show More
Origin of frock 1300–50; Middle English froke < Old French froc < Frankish; compare Old Saxon, Old High German hroc coat
Related forms frock·less , adjective un·der·frock , noun Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for frocking appoint ,
elect ,
anoint ,
nominate ,
bless ,
consecrate ,
enact ,
legislate ,
decree ,
set ,
frock ,
deal ,
institute ,
invest ,
fix ,
impose ,
pronounce ,
rule ,
will ,
commission British Dictionary definitions for frocking coarse material suitable for making frocks or work clothes Show More
a girl's or woman's dress a loose garment of several types, such as a peasant's smock a coarse wide-sleeved outer garment worn by members of some religious orders Show More
(tr) to invest (a person) with the office or status of a cleric Show More
Word Origin for frock C14: from Old French froc ; related to Old Saxon, Old High German hroc coat
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for frocking n. mid-14c., from Old French froc "a monk's habit" (12c.), of unknown origin; perhaps from Frankish *hrok or some other Germanic source (cf. Old High German hroc "mantle, coat;" Old Norse rokkr , Old English rocc , Old Frisian rokk , German Rock "coat"), from PIE root *rug- "to spin."
Another theory traces it to Medieval Latin floccus , from Latin floccus "flock of wool." Meaning "outer garment for women or children" is from 1530s. Frock-coat attested by 1823.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
