spencer

n. a common English family name or first name.

n. a common English surname originating from the occupational title for a steward or dispenser of provisions; also used as a unisex given name.

“Spencer is a popular name for both boys and girls in many countries.”

“The Spencer family has a long and storied history in the British peerage, most notably associated with the Earldom of Spencer.”

n. a short, tight jacket that ends at the waist, worn a long time ago.

n. a short, waist-length jacket or overcoat, popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries for both men and women.

“The actress wore a velvet spencer over her long dress for the period drama.”

“In Regency-era fashion, the spencer served as a functional yet stylish outer layer, typically ending just below the bustline of the high-waisted gowns.”

Archaic · Formal

n. a warm, woollen undershirt or vest worn for extra heat.

n. a close-fitting, usually woollen, undergarment or vest worn by women and children for additional warmth.

“She put on a woollen spencer under her coat to stay warm in the snow.”

“The elderly woman insisted on wearing a knitted spencer beneath her blouse, even during the milder days of early autumn.”

Archaic · British English

n. a large sail used on old-fashioned ships.

n. a large, loose-footed gaffsail used on square-rigged vessels, serving as a trysail.

“The sailors raised the spencer to help the ship move through the rough wind.”

“The captain ordered the crew to set the spencer to improve the vessel's stability while navigating the narrow channel under heavy squalls.”

Technical