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Dictionary:

overcoat

  (ō'vər-kōt') pronunciation
n.
  1. A heavy coat worn over ordinary clothing in cold weather.
  2. An additional, protective coating, as of paint.

 
 
Word Tutor: overcoat
pronunciation

IN BRIEF: A long winter coat.

pronunciation The only argument available with an east wind is to put on your overcoat. — James Lowell (1819-1891), American romantic poet, critic, editor and diplomat, from Democracy and Addresses.

 
WordNet: overcoat
Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.

The noun has 2 meanings:

Meaning #1: a heavy coat
  Synonyms: greatcoat, surcoat, topcoat

Meaning #2: an additional protective coating (as of paint or varnish)
  Synonym: overcoating


 
Wikipedia: overcoat
Overcoat (left) and top coat (right) from The Gazette of Fashion, 1872.
Enlarge
Overcoat (left) and top coat (right) from The Gazette of Fashion, 1872.

The term Overcoat is a generalised term signifying a long coat worn over other items of clothing such as a suit or dress, uniform or even casual clothes. Overcoats extend below the knee over the shins but are sometimes mistakenly referred to as topcoats, which are short coats that end at or above the knees. Topcoats and overcoats together are known as outercoats. Unlike overcoats, topcoats are usually made from lighter weight cloth such as gabardine or covert, while overcoats are made from heavier cloth or fur. This is because overcoats are more commonly used in winter so warmth is more important.

History of the overcoat

In many countries, coats and gowns reaching below the knee have been worn for centuries, often for formal uses, establishing either social status or as part of a professional or military uniform. It recent centuries, the 17th and later, the overcoat became widely stylised and available to the different classes.

Napoleon, mounted, campaigning in France in 1814, wearing a grey overcoat, by Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier.
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Napoleon, mounted, campaigning in France in 1814, wearing a grey overcoat, by Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier.

The style of overcoat now known, first appeared in the 18th century, and was popular with many people and professions, however it was and remains a symbol of authority, so it was common to the wealthy classes, those in the professions, and especially the military. The overcoat was especially popularised in the West during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901) and took on the style known today. During that period overcoats, and formal clothes in general, took on simplified style. Generally, overcoats were differentiated by being either single-breasted or double-breasted; double-breasted styling being more common in the military, especially the navy. Overcoats traditionally were fastened with buttons or toggles, but with the invention of the zip, zips became common. Usually, zips, however, were used in conjunction with other fasteners such as buttons and toggles. This was done to preserve the traditional style and to provide an alternate fastening, especially if the zip broke.

Military use of the overcoat

Although the overcoat was used by the military since the late 18th century, such as the Napoleonic era, it was only really used for cold winter weather and military officers. Overcoats were only really popularised in military fashion during World War I with the invention of the trench coat (named due to its use in the trenches). Overcoats used by the army tended to be single-breasted — navies often used double-breasted overcoats. Overcoats continued to be used as battle dress until the mid 1940's and 1950's when they were deemed impractical, however in colder countries they continued to be issued and used as battle dress. One country to do this was the USSR (Russia) which often experienced harsh winters. However when more efficient clothing and synthetic fibres became more readily available the overcoat began to be phased out of even those militaries in favor of warmer, more practical wear.

See also


 
Translations: Translations for: Overcoat

Dansk (Danish)
n. - overfrakke

Nederlands (Dutch)
overjas, deklaag(verf)

Français (French)
n. - pardessus

Deutsch (German)
n. - Mantel

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - πανωφόρι (κν. παλτό), προστατευτικό κάλυμμα χρώματος

Italiano (Italian)
cappotto

Português (Portuguese)
n. - sobretudo (m)

Русский (Russian)
пальто

Español (Spanish)
n. - abrigo, gabán, sobretodo

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - överrock, ytterrock

中文(简体) (Chinese (Simplified))
外套大衣

中文(繁體) (Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 外套大衣

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 외투, 보호용의 코팅

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - オーバー, 外套

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) معطف‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮מעיל עליון‬


 
 

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Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2007. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.  Read more
Word Tutor. Copyright © 2004-present by eSpindle Learning, a 501(c) nonprofit organization. All rights reserved.
eSpindle provides personalized spelling and vocabulary tutoring online; free trial Read more
WordNet. WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Overcoat" Read more
Translations. Copyright © 2007, WizCom Technologies Ltd. All rights reserved.  Read more

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