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)

Example Sentences

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

From The Monastery by Scott, Walter, Sir

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 Irving, Washington

The jerkin, the doublet, the galligaskins were put on to serve the practical purposes of life, not to attract the policeman or the spinster.

From A Book of Scoundrels by Whibley, Charles

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 Hoffmann, Ernst Theordor Wilhelm

"Call you," said Dudley, "the accidental shaping of a ruff, or the manner of disposing of the folds of my galligaskins, an imitation of a prelatical model?"

From The Knight of the Golden Melice A Historical Romance by Adams, John Turvill