petticoat

/ˈpɛɾikoʊt/

/ˈpɛtikəʊt/

Other forms: petticoats

A petticoat is an old-fashioned piece of clothing that was commonly worn underneath a skirt at various periods in history. The last time petticoats were popular was in the 1950s and 60s.

Petticoat has had a variety of meanings over the years. In North America, it's an undergarment worn at the waist beneath a long skirt, but in other countries it's also been used to mean any skirt or a visible layer over an existing skirt. During the mid-19th century, petticoats were used to give a huge amount of bulk and shape to the skirt. As the word implies, the original petticoats were actual coats worn under a knight's armor.

Definitions of petticoat

1. noun

   undergarment worn under a skirt
   synonyms: half-slip, underskirt

   types:

   crinoline

   a full stiff petticoat made of crinoline fabric

   type of:

   undergarment, unmentionable

   a garment worn under other garments