'Farthingale' definitions:
Definition of 'farthingale'
(from WordNet)
noun
A hoop worn beneath a skirt to extend it horizontally; worn by European women in the 16th and 17th centuries
Definition of 'Farthingale'
From: GCIDE
- Farthingale \Far"thin*gale\, n. [OE. vardingale, fardingale, fr. OF. vertugale, verdugade, F. vertugade, vertugadin, from Sp. verdugado, being named from its hoops, fr. verdugo a young shoot of tree, fr. verde green, fr. L. viridis. See Verdant.] A hoop skirt or hoop petticoat, or other light, elastic material, used to extend the petticoat. [1913 Webster]
- We'll revel it as bravely as the best, . . . With ruffs and cuffs, and farthingales and things. --Shak. [1913 Webster]