‖ coinˈtise arch.
[a ME. (= the OF.) form of quaintise, ‘quaint device, ingenious ornament’, appropriated to a special sense by modern writers on ancient costume, historical novelists, etc. (Some Dicts. have an erroneous form cointoise.)]
An elegant or fanciful dress, symbolical or ornamental apparel; esp. the pendant scarf worn on ladies' head-dresses, and also affixed to the jousting-helmets of knights, as a ‘favour’. See quaintise.
| 1834 J. R. Planché Brit. Costume 93 This latter is called a quintis or cointise, a name given to a peculiarly fashioned gown or tunic of that day. Ibid. 94 The scarf afterwards worn round the crest of the helmet was called a cointise. 1843 James Forest Days (1847) 181 The beautiful scarfs, called cointises, then lately introduced. |