Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A woman's cloak, formerly worn in full dress, for receptions, etc. The word is confined to fashion papers.
  • noun The old French name of the violin or treble viol. See dessus.

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word pardessus.

Examples

  • H. wore a splendid Lucia de Lammermoon…also, a cream-colored mantilla-shaped pardessus, with a deep gore in the neck…garnished with ruches, and radishes and things.

    Mark Twain Ron Powers 2005

  • H. wore a splendid Lucia de Lammermoon…also, a cream-colored mantilla-shaped pardessus, with a deep gore in the neck…garnished with ruches, and radishes and things.

    Mark Twain Ron Powers 2005

  • A pardessus like a little pelisse; a close fitting body, moderately open on the bosom; bordered with a very rich fancy trimming.

    Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. 3, July, 1851 Various

  • A pardessus or polka jacket of cinnamon-colored cloth or merino.

    The International Magazine, Volume 2, No. 3, February, 1851 Various

  • The pardessus is confined in front (not quite so low as the waist) by a gilt agrafe.

    The International Magazine, Volume 2, No. 3, February, 1851 Various

  • Elle s'aprocha d'abord du bris, pardessus lequel les vagues passoient; puis elle nagea vers le lieu ou l'on avoit dresse des tentes, quand la chaloupe du vaisseau peri partit, pour ceux qu'elle n'avoit pu recevoir, et qui devoient attendre la qu'on vint les y prendre.

    Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia Performed between the years 1818 and 1822 — Volume 1 Phillip Parker King

  • She is dead now, _la grisette_, even in Paris, and "hic jacet" may be written over the bonnet she threw _pardessus les moulins_.

    Without Prejudice Israel Zangwill 1895

  • Noticing that her pardessus was bespattered with mud, he seemed to be much vexed, and the exquisitely-elegant gentleman (l'homme de toutes les elegances) began to rub off with his small, white hands the stains which on any other person would have caused him disgust.

    Frederic Chopin as a Man and Musician Niecks, Frederick 1888

  • L'individu empoche l'argent, s'en va, et en s'en allant est-ce qu'il ne donna pas un coup de pouce pardessus l'epaule, comma ca, au pauvre Daniel, en disant de son air delibere: -- Eh bien! je ne vois pas qua cette grenouille ait rien de muiex qu'une autre.

    Sketches New and Old, Part 1. Mark Twain 1872

  • L'individu empoche l'argent, s'en va, et en s'en allant est-ce qu'il ne donna pas un coup de pouce pardessus l'epaule, comma ca, au pauvre Daniel, en disant de son air delibere: -- Eh bien! je ne vois pas qua cette grenouille ait rien de muiex qu'une autre.

    Sketches New and Old Mark Twain 1872

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.

  • They don't write sentences like this any more:

    "Noticing that her pardessus was bespattered with mud, he seemed to be much vexed, and the exquisitely-elegant gentleman (l'homme de toutes les elegances) began to rub off with his small, white hands the stains which on any other person would have caused him disgust."

    January 22, 2016