Bewigged Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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bewigged
[bɪˈwɪɡd ]
Definition
historical style
The term 'bewigged' refers to the practice of wearing a wig, particularly in the context of fashion trends from the 17th to the 18th centuries. During this period, wigs became a symbol of status and elegance. People of high rank, including judges and aristocrats, commonly wore elaborate wigs. The fashion eventually declined, but the term still signifies the act of being adorned with a wig in a pretentious or exaggerated manner.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The bewigged judge presided over the courtroom.
- She walked into the party with a bewigged style that instantly drew attention.
- Many bewigged gentlemen attended the gala, showcasing their extravagant fashion.
- The painting depicted bewigged figures in lavish attire.
Translations
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Origin of 'bewigged'
The word 'bewigged' comes from the root word 'wig,' which itself has a complex etymology. The word 'wig' is derived from the 17th-century term 'periwig,' which refers to a style of wig. Periwigs were popular among European aristocracy and were made from human hair, horse hair, or wool. The prefix 'be-' indicates the action of putting on or adorning oneself with a wig. The trend of wearing wigs became prominent in England, France, and various parts of Europe, especially in the courts of Louis XIV, where they symbolized power, authority, and glamour. By the late 18th century, the fashion began to wane, yet the practice of bewigging persisted in certain formal contexts, such as legal and academic circles well into the modern age.