Trews

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /tɹuːz/

Definitions

1. A specific style of fitted trousers traditionally worn in Scotland that often features tartan patterns
2. A kind of close-fitting legwear typically made from various fabrics, historically linked to Scottish attire
3. A style of trousers that are snug-fitting and often associated with traditional Scottish dress, typically distinguished by plaid or tartan designs

Etymology: Trews are close-fitting tartan trousers, and the word came into English from Scottish Gaelic "triubhas," which in turn descends from Middle Irish "triubus." The Gaelic and Irish forms share a common Celtic ancestry, and the word's story runs through the Highland tradition of tartan dress, where trews were the garment worn by men who needed legs free for riding and fighting. The surprising twist is how far the word has traveled from the leg itself. The same Gaelic root gave the English word a distinct shape, with the Scottish spelling and pronunciation preserved in its modern form. Few English words for clothing carry a Celtic lineage this direct, since most garment names arrived through French or Latin.

Synonyms: trousers, pants