Partlet

//ˈpɑːtlət// noun

noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A hen (originally in the form Dame Partlet). archaic

    "How now, dame Partlett the hen?"

  2. 2
    A covering for the neck and upper chest, originally worn by both sexes, but later especially by women to cover a low neckline. archaic, historical

    "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 […]"

Synonyms

All synonyms
bantybiddybitchbossybroilerbrood mare

Example

More examples

"How now, dame Partlett the hen?"

Etymology

Etymology 1

Origin unknown; perhaps a diminutive form of pert, or from its habit of ruffling the feathers round its neck; see Etymology 2 below.

Etymology 2

Origin unknown. Possibly from the mediaeval French name Pertelote.

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.