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petticoat

Pronunciation: /ˈpɛtɪkəʊt/
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Definition of petticoat

noun

  • a woman’s light, loose undergarment hanging from the shoulders or the waist, worn under a skirt or dress.
  • [as modifier] informal, often derogatory used to denote female control of something regarded as more commonly dominated by men:he was in danger of succumbing to the petticoat government of Mary and Sarah

Derivatives

petticoated

adjective

Origin:

late Middle English: from petty coat, literally 'small coat': the word originally referred to a garment worn by men under a coat or doublet. The second sense derives from a later use to mean 'skirt'

petticoat in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of petticoat in the US English dictionary