ENGLISH
REFERENCE

kilt

n.
B1 Intermediate US //ˈkɪɫt// UK //kˈɪlt// kilt Archaic Dialect Informal

n. a traditional Scottish dress for men. It is a skirt-like piece of clothing with pleats that hangs down from the waist.

n. a traditional Scottish garment for men, consisting of a skirt-like piece of cloth with pleats. Often associated with Scottish national identity and formal events.


SIMPLE

He wore a traditional kilt to the wedding.

CONTEXTUAL

The school band performed a traditional Scottish song while the members wore kilts and bagpipes.

COMPLEX

While the kilt is a staple of Scottish heritage, its modern design has evolved to include various patterns and materials, though the traditional tartan remains the most recognizable.

Etymology 1

From Middle English kilten (“to tuck up, gird”), apparently from North Germanic, ultimately from Old Norse kelta, kjalta (“skirt; lap”). Perhaps from Proto-Germanic kelt-, kelþǭ, kilþį̄ (“womb”), from Proto-Indo-European gelt- (“round body; child”). Cognate with Danish kilte (“to tuck”), Swedish kilta (“to swathe”). Related to English child.

Etymology 2

From Middle English kilt, equivalent to kill + -t.

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