galligaskins

American  

[gal-i-gas-kinz] / ˌgæl ɪˈgæs kɪnz /

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. loose hose or breeches worn in the 16th and 17th centuries.

2. loose breeches in general.

3. leggings or gaiters, usually of leather.

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galligaskins British  

/ ˌɡælɪˈɡæskɪnz /

plural noun

1. loose wide breeches or hose, esp as worn by men in the 17th century

2. leather leggings, as worn in the 19th century

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Etymology

Origin of galligaskins

First recorded in 1570–80; earlier gallogascaine(s), galigascon(s), of obscure origin; perhaps alteration (with influence of galley and Gascon or -kin ) of obsolete French garguesque, greguesque, ultimately from Latin Graecus “Greek” ( see Greek)

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

galligaskins

He wore a rich and beautiful doublet, trimmed with sable, white galligaskins, and slashed shoes; on his head was a satin barret cap with a red feather.

From The Serapion Brethren. Vol. II by Ernst Theordor Wilhelm Hoffmann

This 'ere old friend o' mine don't unnerstand ye wi' yer fustian an' yer galligaskins.

From The Treasure of Heaven A Romance of Riches by Marie Corelli

It was still her habit to appear publicly in jerkin and galligaskins, to smoke tobacco in contempt of her sex, and to fight her enemies with a very fury of insolence.

From A Book of Scoundrels by Charles Whibley

"A green gown and a pair of leathern galligaskins every Pentecost," said the Kitchener.

From The Monastery by Sir Walter Scott

In his right hand he held forth the ominous dispatches, and with his left he grasped firmly the waistband of his galligaskins, which had unfortunately given way in the exertion of descending from his horse.

From Knickerbocker's History of New York, Complete by Washington Irving

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