Pan`ta*loon" (?), n. [F. pantalon, fr. It. pantalone, a masked character in the Italian comedy, who wore breeches and stockings that were all of one piece, from Pantaleone, the patron saint of Venice, which, as a baptismal name, is very frequent among the Venetians, and is applied to them by the other Italians as a nickname, fr. Gr. , lit., all lion, a Greek personal name.]

1.

A ridiculous character, or an old dotard, in the Italian comedy; also, a buffoon in pantomimes.

Addison.

The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slippered pantaloon.
Shak.

2. pl.

A bifurcated garment for a man, covering the body from the waist downwards, and consisting of breeches and stockings in one.

3. pl.

In recent times, same as Trousers.

 

© Webster 1913.