Word of the Day 7.12.08

gab·er·dine (gbr-dn, gbr-dn)

n.

1. A long, coarse cloak or frock worn especially by Jews during the Middle Ages. Also called gabardine.

2. Chiefly British A loose smock worn by laborers.

3. See gabardine.


[Obsolete French gauvardine, from Old French galvardine, perhaps from Middle High German wallevart, pilgrimage : wallen, to roam (from Old High German walln; see wel-2 in Indo-European roots) + vart, journey (from Old High German, from faran, to go; see per-2 in Indo-European roots).]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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Posted on July 12, 2008 by admin

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