grisette
pronunciation
How to pronounce grisette in British English:
UK [grɪ'zet]
How to pronounce grisette in American English:
US [ grɪ'zɛt]
Word Origin
- grisette (n.)
- c. 1700, "gray woolen fabric," from French grisette, diminutive of gris "grey," which is from Frankish or some other Germanic source (see grey (adj.)). From 1723 as "young French working girl," especially a shopgirl or seamstress, on the notion of wearing clothing made from such fabric; "commonly applied by foreigners in Paris to the young women of this class who are free in their manners on the streets and in the shops" [Century Dictionary].
Example
- 1. A grisette who passed near him one day , said : " here 's a very tidy widower . "