Kirtel

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A traditional garment worn in medieval Europe resembling a long tunic or dress, typically fitted at the waist and worn by both men and women; a historical article of clothing characterized by its full length and layered appearance; an outerwear piece that extends to the ankles, often made from wool or linen and used for everyday or ceremonial wear
2. A medieval outfit piece similar to a tunic or gown, usually extending from shoulders to ankles and worn over other clothes; a fitted long dress or robe typical of the Middle Ages, serving practical and social functions; a costume element identifying social status or occupation in historical European contexts
3. An elongated medieval garment often cinched at the waist with a belt and worn by various social classes; a long, flowing attire typically featuring decorative elements and suitable for outdoor or indoor use in historical settings; a staple of historic European wardrobes combining style and utility across different eras and regions

Etymology: Kirtle is a medieval English word for a long tunic or gown, worn by both men and women, and it was once a common term for a skirt or petticoat as well. It comes from Old English "cyrtel," a borrowing of a Late Latin word for a short tunic, "curtus," meaning short, which gives the word a sense of irony: the garment that became long was named for being short. The word's history runs through the reverse of what its name suggests. Over time the kirtle's meaning narrowed, and by the early modern period it referred mainly to a woman's outer skirt or a petticoat, often worn with a bodice laced over it. Its descendant "petticoat" is a separate later coinage, which helps explain why the older garment term faded from everyday use.

Synonyms: kirtle, tunic, dress