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Webster 1913 Edition


Partlet

Part′let

,
Noun.
[Dim. of
part
.]
1.
A covering for the neck, and sometimes for the shoulders and breast; originally worn by both sexes, but later by women alone; a ruff.
[Obs.]
Fuller.
2.
A hen; – so called from the ruffing of her neck feathers.
“Dame Partlett, the hen.”
Shak.

Webster 1828 Edition


Partlet

P`ARTLET

,
Noun.
[from part.] A ruff; a band or collar for the neck.
1.
A hen.

Definition 2024


partlet

partlet

English

Noun

partlet (plural partlets)

  1. (now rare, archaic) A hen (originally in the form Dame Partlet). [from 14th c.]
    Dame Partlett, the hen. --Shak.

Etymology 2

Woman wearing a black dress with white partlet

Origin unknown.

Noun

partlet (plural partlets)

  1. (now historical or archaic) A covering for the neck and upper chest, originally worn by both sexes, but later especially by women to cover a low neckline. [from 16th c.]
    • 2011, Thomas Penn, Winter King, Penguin 2012, p. 189:
      On 1 February 1505, he ordered a new set of clothes for prince: an arming doublet of black satin, with fashionable detachable sleeves, and with it an arming partlet or under-collar […].
    • 1979, Cormac McCarthy, Suttree, Random House, p.65:
      A black witch known as Mother She was going along Front Street toward the store, a frail bent shape in black partlet with cane laboring brokenly through the heat.

References

1918 Webster

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