kirtle

[ kur-tl ]

noun

1. a woman's loose gown, worn in the Middle Ages.
2. Obsolete. a man's tunic.

kirtle

/ ˈkɜːtəl /

noun

1. a woman's skirt or dress
2. a man's coat

Other Words From

• kirtled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of kirtle¹

before 900; Middle English kirtel, Old English cyrtel, apparently equivalent to cyrt ( an ) to shorten (≪ Latin curtus shortened) + -el -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of kirtle¹

Old English cyrtel, probably from cyrtan to shorten, ultimately from Latin curtus cut short

Example Sentences

A golden shield had he, and a gold-wrought helmet, & a short red kirtle over his shirt of mail.

From Project Gutenberg

Her tight-fitting, sleeveless kirtle was of a dull brown, for she scorned the gown of one color which was commanded by law.

From Project Gutenberg

Then they home conveyed a lass with pendent keys, and goatskin kirtle; married her to Karl.

From Project Gutenberg

Marvellous clasps of gold and silver in the kirtle on her breasts and her shoulders and spaulds on every side.

From Project Gutenberg

The kirtle and border was far too short for her majesty's height, and she asked every one how they liked her new fancied suit.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• blouse
• coat
• jacket
• robe