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Showing results for periwig. Search instead for periwigs.
Synonyms

periwig

American  
[per-i-wig] / ˈpɛr ɪˌwɪg /

noun

  1. a wig, especially a peruke.


periwig British  
/ ˈpɛrɪˌwɪɡ /

noun

  1. a wig, such as a peruke

"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

Etymology

Origin of periwig

1520–30; earlier perwyke, alteration of Middle French perruque peruke


Vocabulary lists containing periwig

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Men in the 17th century wore the "periwig" - long, voluminous artificial curls - to denote wealth and high social status.

From BBC ● Jun. 3, 2026

As such he must wear periwig and gown at all meetings of Parliament, listen to debates, rule tactfully on parliamentary procedure.

From Time Magazine Archive

The cumbersome, bottom-heavy periwig, with its almost waist-length expanse of curls, has long since given way to a proliferation of shorter, more comfortable styles.

From Time Magazine Archive

Modern listeners found James Hewitt's ideas as quaint as a periwig, but agreed that his music was well worth unearthing.

From Time Magazine Archive

The great periwig is going out, and the looped and curled wig, very white with powder, is in fashion.

From English Costume by Dion Clayton Calthrop

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