crinoline Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a skirt stiffened with hoops
    hoopskirt.
  2. noun a full stiff petticoat made of crinoline fabric
  3. noun a stiff coarse fabric used to stiffen hats or clothing

WordNet

Crin"o*line noun
Etymology
F., fr. crin hair,L. crinis.
Definitions
  1. A kind of stiff cloth, used chiefly by women, for underskirts, to expand the gown worn over it; -- so called because originally made of hair.
  2. A lady's skirt made of any stiff material; latterly, a hoop skirt.

Webster 1913