accoutre, v.
(əˈkuːtə(r))
Also 7 accoustre, acoutre.
[a. MFr. accoustre-r (mod. accoutrer), of uncertain origin; prob. f. à to + coustre, coutre, a sacristan or vestry keeper, who robed the clergyman: see Littré and Skeat. The Fr. accoustrer was in 16th c. pronounced accoutrer (Cotgr. 1611 has both spellings), whence accoutre is the ordinary Eng. form; accoustre occurs less commonly in 17th c.]
To attire, equip, array. (Rare except in the pa. pple. accoutred.)
| 1606 Dekker Seven Sins ii. (Arb.) 19 Another therefore of the Broode..aptly accoustred, and armed Cap-a-pe. 1659 Lady Alimony ii. vi. in Hazl. Dodsl. XIV. 322 But hark you, madam; what be those brave blades That thus accoutre you. 1682 Bunyan Holy War 55 So gallant a company so bravely accoutred. 1686 Lond. Gaz. No. 2182/4 There could not be a finer body of men, nor better accoutred. 1706 Phillips, To accouter, to dress, attire, or trim. 1727 Swift Gulliver iv. xi. 335 He accoutred me with other necessaries, all new. 1755 Croker Ariosto's Orl. Fur. xlvi. xlvi. II. 407 Leon his 'squires commanded, him to take, Accoutre him, and fit for Ruggier make. 1849 Dickens Barn. Rudge i. 3 (C.D. ed.) He..was accoutred in a riding dress. 1869 Pall Mall G. 13 Oct. 4 The new system of accoutring the soldier can only be introduced gradually. |