Cardigan

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈkɑːdɪɡən/

Definitions

1. A type of knitted outerwear featuring an open front and long sleeves, which is often used as a layering piece over other garments
2. An article of clothing usually made of soft yarn, designed to be worn over other attire and often secured with buttons or ties
3. A knitted garment commonly worn for warmth, characterized by its open front and long sleeves, ideal for layering over other clothing

Etymology: The cardigan is named after a man who was famous for a disastrous battle, not for knitwear. James Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan, was a British cavalry commander, and he led the Light Brigade's charge at the Battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War in 1854. The charge went catastrophically wrong, and Cardigan became a figure of public debate and celebrity afterwards. The garment's link to him is usually explained by the knitted woollen waistcoats and jackets that were fashionable in that era, which were commonly associated with his name. The Earl's fame made his name a convenient label for the buttoned, open-fronted knitted jacket, and the name stuck to the garment long after the battle had faded from everyday memory.

Synonyms: sweater, jumper, coat, outerwear, knitwear