peruke

/pə'ru:k/

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Word: Peruke

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: A peruke is a type of wig that was popular for men in the 17th and 18th centuries. It is usually long, curly, and often made from human hair or horsehair.

Usage Instructions: You can use "peruke" when talking about historical fashion or discussing styles of wigs that were worn in the past. It is not commonly used in everyday conversation today, as wigs have evolved, but it may come up in discussions about history, literature, or costume design.

Example Sentence: During the 18th century, many men wore a peruke as a symbol of status and fashion.

Advanced Usage:

In literature or art, mentioning a peruke might evoke a specific time period, helping to create a vivid picture of the past. For example, when describing a character in a historical novel, you might say, "The gentleman entered the room, his peruke cascading over his shoulders, a testament to his wealth and taste."

Word Variants:

• Peruked (adjective): Describing someone who is wearing a peruke.
  • Example: The peruked gentleman was the center of attention at the ball.

Different Meaning:

While "peruke" specifically refers to a historical wig, in modern contexts, it can simply refer to any wig, although this usage is rare.

Synonyms:

• Wig (general term for hairpieces)
• Queue (a type of wig worn by men in the 18th century, but this term is more specific)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly associated with "peruke," but you might find phrases like "to wear a wig" or "to don a peruke" in historical contexts.

Summary:

The word "peruke" is mainly used to discuss a specific style of men's wig from the 17th and 18th centuries. It can be a useful term in historical discussions or when exploring fashion from that era.

Academic

Noun

1. a wig for men that was fashionable in the 17th and 18th centuries

Synonyms

• periwig