Frocks

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of loose-fitting garment worn by women, typically falling below the knee and often styled for various occasions
2. A dress commonly associated with formal or casual wear, designed to be comfortable yet stylish in design
3. Clothing item characterized by its feminine form, often incorporating different colors, patterns, and fabrics for diverse fashion statements

Etymology: "Frocks" is simply the plural of "frock," a noun that began as a garment for monks. Old French "froc" meant a monk's gown or habit, and it likely passed through Medieval Latin forms such as "hrocus" and "roccus," meaning a coat. Behind those lies a Frankish word, "hrokk," meaning skirt, dress, or robe, and before that a Proto-Germanic word for robe, jacket, skirt, or tunic. The surprise is that the same root gave German "Rock," which still means skirt or coat, and Old English "rocc," an overgarment or tunic. English "frock" arrived in Middle English as "frok" or "frokke," so the word for a flowing garment is cousin to the German word for a skirt. Not every "frock" is clothing. A separate Middle English "frock" came from Old Norse "frauki," meaning frog, related to Old English "frocga." The two words share a spelling by coincidence, not by descent.

Synonyms: dresses, gowns, garments, attire