See Also: frock(dictionary)
frock(dictionary)
smock-frock(dictionary)
frock coat(dictionary)

frock (iou)



frock noun & verb. LME.
[Old & mod. French froc from Frankish, corresp. to Old High German hroc.]
A. noun.
A priest's or monk's long gown with loose sleeves; occas., a cassock. Also, priestly status or character. LME.
Sir W. Scott The Hermit by it stood, Barefooted, in his frock and hood. W. Gladden Such words as these..cost the great Carmelite preacher..his frock.
A man's upper garment; a long coat, tunic, or mantle. Now rare or obsolete. LME.
frock of mail a mailcoat, armour.
W. K. Kelly Kings at arms covered with long frocks of cloth of gold.
A woman's or girl's garment, consisting of a skirt and bodice; a dress. Formerly also, a skirted garment worn by young children of either sex. M16.
A. Trollope I don't think I've ever been in London since I wore short frocks. J. Archer She was dressed in a bright yellow frock.
Hist. = SMOCK 2. Formerly also = SMOCK-FROCK 1. E17.
C. Walford Dealers in haubergs, or waggoners' frocks.
b. A sailor's woollen jersey. E19.
L. Deighton I know it's a roll-neck pullover but you sign for a Frock I'm not responsible for Naval Nomenclature.
a. A man's informal coat. E18-E19.
J. Hanway His regimentals..are a blue cloth frock with silver brandenburgs.
b. In full frock-coat. A man's double-breasted long-skirted coat not cut away in front and now worn chiefly on formal occasions. E19.
Observer Contemptible as a soldier, Lord George was impossible as a 'frock'.
c. A person wearing such a coat; esp. (derog.) a politician, as opp. to a military man, concerned with the administration of the war of 1914-18. E20.
Comb.: frock-coat: see sense 5b above; frock-coated adjective attired in a frock-coat.
b. verb trans. Provide with or dress in a frock; fig. invest with priestly office. Chiefly as frocked ppl adjective. L16.