grisette

[ gri-zet ]

/ grɪˈzɛt /

noun

a young French workingwoman.

Nearby words

gris-nez, grisaille, griselda, griseofulvin, griseous, grisette, grisham, grishun, griskin, grisly, grison

Origin of grisette

1690–1700; < French, equivalent to gris gray (see griseous) + -ette -ette; originally a cheap gray fabric, or dress made of such fabric, worn by young working women in the garment trade

Related formsgri·set·tish, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for grisette

No, that has the savor of a grisette, or a fillette, a league away!
Paul and His Dog, v.1 (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume XIII)|Charles Paul de Kock
He told her flatly that she looked like a French grisette of the music halls, and ought to be ashamed to be seen in such attire.
The Day of the Beast|Zane Grey
And the interview of the lady and the grisette began in this fashion.
The Wandering Jew, Complete|Eugene Sue
Doubtless she was some relative; for a grisette never has a companion, and duennas pertain exclusively to Spanish infantas.
The Cross of Berny|Emile de Girardin

And the grisette—otherwise called the linen-drapers apprentice?
The Bashful Lover (Novels of Paul de Kock Volume XIX)|Charles Paul de Kock

British Dictionary definitions for grisette

grisette

/ (ɡrɪˈzɛt) /

noun

(esp formerly) a French working-class girl, esp a pretty or flirtatious one

an edible toadstool of the genus Amanita of broad-leaved and birch woods

Word Origin for grisette

C18: from French, from grisette grey fabric used for dresses, from gris grey

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012