culotte
(kjuːˈlɒt, ‖ kylɔt)
[Fr., = knee-breeches; cf. sansculotte.]
1. Knee-breeches; also culotte courte. (Rare in Eng. use.)
| 1842 Barham Ingol. Leg. II. 11 Ripping the lace from his coat, And from what, I suppose, I must call his culotte. 1848 Thackeray Van. Fair xlv. 408 She said that it was only the thorough-bred gentleman that could wear the Court suit with advantage: it was only your men of ancient race whom the culotte courte became. 1877 Encycl. Brit. VI. 472/2 Towards the beginning of the 17th century, the high hose..were transformed into ‘culottes’, which were full and open at the knees. 1952 Granta 29 Nov. 6/1 We may hire the appropriate wigs and culottes from London costumiers. |
2. (Usually in pl.). A divided skirt. Also attrib.
| 1911 in C. W. Cunnington Eng. Women's Clothing (1952) iii. 105 Satin culottes, 10/6. 1927 Delineator Mar. 15 The culotte skirt, which originally made its début as a novelty, is translated this spring into practical fashions. 1939 A. Keith Land below Wind ix. 148, I was still fastening my culottes, into which I had hastily jumped. 1939 M. B. Picken Lang. Fashion 40/3 Culotte, informal trouser-like garment having leg portions that are full and fall together to simulate a skirt. Worn as sports skirt. 1960 Harper's Bazaar July 55 A daring revival from the thirties—the culotte..wide pyjama-legged culottes. 1966 Vogue Dec. 87 Beautiful culotte dress. 1967 Guardian 5 Aug. 5/1 Culotte skirts..and culotte dresses abound. |
3. The soft hair or feather on the back of the forelegs of a dog.
| 1928 in Funk's Stand. Dict. 1948 C. L. B. Hubbard Dogs in Britain 462 Culotte, the fringes of soft hair on the backs of the fore-legs of Pomeranians. 1968 H. Harmar Chihuahua Guide 235 Culotte, the feathery tail on the back of the forelegs of the Pekingese, Pomeranian and Schipperke. |