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In the late Middle Ages many women wore a type of headdress—called a wimple in English—that surrounded the neck and head, leaving only the face uncovered. The word gorgias, from gorge, meaning “throat,” was the French name for the part of the headdress that covered the throat and shoulders. In time it also came to be used as a name for the entire garment. A beautiful headdress was so much the mark of a fashionable lady that Gorgias then became an adjective meaning “elegant” or “fond of dress.” Borrowed into English as gorgayse and then gorgeous, the word gradually took on the meaning of “beautiful” that it has today.
Synonyms
splendid, resplendent, gorgeous, glorious, sublime, superb mean extraordinarily or transcendently impressive.
splendid implies outshining the usual or customary.
resplendent suggests a glowing or blazing splendor.
gorgeous implies a rich splendor especially in display of color.
glorious suggests radiance that heightens beauty or distinction.
sublime implies an exaltation or elevation almost beyond human comprehension.
superb suggests an excellence reaching the highest conceivable degree.
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Word History
Middle English gorgeouse, from Middle French gorgias elegant, perhaps from gorgias wimple, from gorge throat
15th century, in the meaning defined above
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Cite this Entry
“Gorgeous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gorgeous. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
gorgeous
adjectiveMiddle English gorgeouse "very showy, splendid," from early French gorgias "elegant," from gorgias "headdress, wimple," from gorge "part of the wimple covering the throat, throat"
More from Merriam-Webster on gorgeous
Nglish: Translation of gorgeous for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of gorgeous for Arabic Speakers
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