noun
cravat
kruh-VAT/krəˈvæt/
A cloth or scarf worn around the neck as formal dress.
The mannequin wears a formal cravat that resembles the cavalryman's neckcloth.
Etymology
The name of the Croats became a name for neckwear through imitation of cavalrymen’s linen scarves. Here the soldiers’ label covered mixed frontier cavalry, not only ethnic Croats.
In context
would always wear a tri-corner hat and a black cravat.
people began to refer to a cravat as a "tie" for the first time,
More examples
- Several cravats hung in the wardrobe.
- She adjusted the cravat.
- The cravat had a patterned fabric.
Forms
cravat · cravats
Similar words
- necktie
- A more familiar modern formal neck accessory.
- scarf
- A broader piece of cloth worn around the neck.