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clothing definition

Overview

This page has 12 definitions of clothing in English and Middle English. Clothing is a verb and noun. Examples of how to use clothing in a sentence are shown. Also define these 16 related words and terms: clothe, fabric, hair, skin, warmth, modesty, fashion, cloth, covering, boiler, radiation, heat, clothing, outfit, garments, and uniform.

English clothing definition

Etymology

From Middle English clothing, clathing; equivalent to clothe +‎ -ing. Cognate with Scots cleeding, cleiding, cleading (“clothing”), Dutch kleding (“clothing”), German Kleidung (“clothing”), Danish klædning (“clothing, dress, attire”), Swedish klädning (“dress”). Doublet of the dialectal English term cleading, from Middle English clething; compare also cladding.

Pronunciation

Verb

clothing

  1. present participle of clothe

Noun
A baby wearing many items of winter clothing: headband, cap, fur-lined coat, shawl and sweater

clothing (countable and uncountable, plural clothings)

  1. Any of a wide variety of articles, usually made of fabrics, animal hair, animal skin, or some combination thereof, used to cover the human body for warmth, to preserve modesty, or for fashion.
    • Modesty definition
      The quality of being modest; having a limited and not overly high opinion of oneself and one's abilities. (1 of 3 modesty definitions)
    • Fashion definition
      A current (constantly changing) trend, favored for frivolous rather than practical, logical, or intellectual reasons. (1 of 5 fashion definitions)
  2. An act or instance of putting clothes on.
    The clothing and unclothing of the idols was of special significance.
  3. (obsolete) The art or process of making cloth.
    • 1713, John Ray, Three Physico-theological discourses
      Instructing [refugees] in the art of clothing.
  4. A covering of non-conducting material on the outside of a boiler, or steam chamber, to prevent radiation of heat.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Knight to this entry?)

Derived terms

Synonyms

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Translations

See also

See also

clothing related terms

Middle English clothing definition

Alternative forms

Etymology

From clothen +‎ -ing.

Pronunciation

  • (Early ME, Northern ME) IPA(key): /ˈklɑːðinɡ/
  • IPA(key): /ˈklɔːðinɡ/

Noun

clothing (plural clothinges)

  1. What one wears; clothing, outfit, garments.
    1. A piece of clothes; an individual component of an outfit.
    2. The uniform or outfit associated with an occupation or position.
    3. (figuratively) One's religious values and priorities.
    4. (figuratively, rare) One's appearance or countenance.
  2. Linen or sheets used as a cover or a protective layer.
  3. The equipping or provision of garments.

Descendants

References