Meaning

(historical) An early form of trouser for women, loose-fitting and often gathered at the ankle; the trouser portion of a bloomer costume..

Example Sentences

Whereabouts dwelt the Amazons, the true assertors of the Rights of Woman, who spurned even the gentle bondage of the pettiloon?

Barbara Edler of Omaha, Neb. is a "Pettiloon" specialist. That's a combination of old fashioned petticoat and pantaloons, chic things for square and folk, prettily trimmed with eyelet laces and ribbons, etc.

Lastly, he approves of "Bloomers" and "pettiloons," for he says women will do as they like — he should as soon think of driving the nails into his own coffin, as trying to stop them — "cosy?" — it's unpossible! ' Olive Branch June 28, 1851

She suggested a number of ways women might make the pettiloons visually interesting and attractive. For example, women could follow the "Turkish model" with gathering at the ankle, or allowing for excess fullness and letting the pettiloons "sag" at the ankle.

Here were to be seen, 'in a cart drawn by a donkey, a huge costermonger in caricature costume and a bloomer by his side with cheeks of a high rosy hue and... pink pettiloons of dimensions which put to flight all representations as to the economy of these substitutes for ordinary female costume'.

Word Forms

• pettiloons

Related Words

When Should You Use Pettiloon?

Use pettiloon when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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