From Notker the Stammerer's life of Charlemagne, book 1, section 34. The emperor was complaining about the fashion for short Gaulish cloaks.

"What is the use of these little napkins?" he asked. "I can't cover myself with them when in bed. When I am on horseback I can't protect myself from the winds and the rain. When I go off to empty my bowels, I catch cold because my backside is frozen."

Cloak (?; 110), n. [Of. cloque cloak (from the bell-like shape), bell, F. cloche bell; perh. of Celtik origin and the same word as E. clock. See 1st Clock.]

1.

A loose outer garment, extending from the neck downwards, and commonly without sleeves. It is longer than a cape, and is worn both by men and by women.

2.

That which conceals; a disguise or pretext; an excuse; a fair pretense; a mask; a cover.

No man is esteemed any ways considerable for policy who wears religion otherwise than as a cloak. South.

Cloak bag, a bag in which a cloak or other clothes are carried; a portmanteau.

Shak.

 

© Webster 1913.


Cloak, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Cloaked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Cloaking.]

To cover with, or as with, a cloak; hence, to hide or conceal.

Now glooming sadly, so to cloak her matter. Spenser.

Syn. -- See Palliate.

 

© Webster 1913.

Log in or register to write something here or to contact authors.