Cravat
noun, verb ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 A wide fabric band worn as a necktie by men having long ends hanging in front.
"It was April 22, 1831, and a young man was walking down Whitehall in the direction of Parliament Street. He wore shepherd's plaid trousers and the swallow-tail coat of the day, with a figured muslin cravat wound about his wide-spread collar."
- 2 neckwear worn in a slipknot with long ends overlapping vertically in front wordnet
- 3 A decorative fabric band or scarf worn around the neck by women. historical
- 4 A bandage resembling a cravat, particularly a triangular bandage folded into a strip.
- 1 To adorn with a cravat; to tie a cravat, or something resembling a cravat, around the neck. rare, transitive
Example
More examples"It was clear, however, that Straker had defended himself vigorously against his assailants, for in his right hand he held a small knife, which was clotted with blood up to the handle, while in his left he clasped a red and black silk cravat."
Etymology
From French cravate, an appellative use of Cravate (“Croat”), from Dutch Krawaat, from German Krawatte, from Serbo-Croatian Hr̀vāt/Хр̀ва̄т (“Croat”). The cravat is regarded as originating from a linen scarf worn by Croatian mercenaries which was adopted into French fashion in the 17th century. Doublet of Croat.