Pelerines

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of garment that features wings or capes, typically worn over the shoulders for added warmth or style
2. A form of outerwear characterized by a sleeveless design, often adorned with additional fabric like capes for decorative purposes
3. A cloak or similar apparel that possesses a distinct draped appearance, serving both functional and aesthetic roles in clothing

Etymology: "Pelerines" is the plural of "pelerine," a short cape-like garment. The English word was borrowed from French "pèlerine," the feminine form of "pèlerin," meaning "pilgrim." The French term refers to a pilgrim's cape, and the name appears to have been applied to the garment because of its resemblance to the cloaks or capes historically worn by pilgrims travelling on long journeys. The French "pèlerin" traces back to Late Latin "pelegrinus," meaning a foreigner or traveller, from Latin "peregrinus," which meant someone from abroad. The English word first appeared in 1744, so the garment name is a comparatively recent borrowing that carries a medieval traveller's outfit into eighteenth-century fashion.