farthingale Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a hoop worn beneath a skirt to extend it horizontally; worn by European women in the 16th and 17th centuries

WordNet

Far"thin*gale noun
Etymology
OE. vardingale, fardingale, fr. OF. vertugale, verdugade, F. vertugade, vertugadin, from Sp. verdugado, being named from its hoops, fr. verdugo a young shoot of tree, fr. verde green, fr. L. viridis. See Verdant.
Definitions
  1. A hoop skirt or hoop petticoat, or other light, elastic material, used to extend the petticoat.
    We'll revel it as bravely as the best, . . . With ruffs and cuffs, and farthingales and things. Shak.

Webster 1913