peplum

[ pep-luhm ]

noun,plural pep·lums, pep·la [pep-luh]. /ˈpɛp lə/.
  1. a short full flounce or an extension of a garment below the waist, covering the hips.

  2. a short skirt attached to a bodice or jacket.

  1. Obsolete. a peplos.

Origin of peplum

1
1670–80; <Latin <Greek *péplon (neuter; only plural pépla occurs). See peplos

Words Nearby peplum

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use peplum in a sentence

  • The antique Greek peplum of soft white wool fell in long folds, cinctured high under the breast.

    The Death of the Gods | Dmitri Mrejkowski
  • The noble and simple lines of the peplum restored her resemblance to some ancient Athenian vestal.

    The Death of the Gods | Dmitri Mrejkowski

British Dictionary definitions for peplum

peplum

/ (ˈpɛpləm) /


nounplural -lums or -la (-lə)
  1. a flared ruffle attached to the waist of a jacket, bodice, etc

  2. a variant of peplos

Origin of peplum

1
C17: from Latin: full upper garment, from Greek peplos shawl

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