noun

tippet

TIP-it/ˈtɪpɪt/

A narrow covering worn around the neck or shoulders.

The narrow tippet drapes across her shoulders.

A waist-up garment portrait showing a narrow ornamental shoulder scarf draped across both shoulders, with its two ends hanging down the front of a plain dress.

Etymology

Tippet’s origin is unknown, but it first described ornamental cloth or a long, narrow hanging part of a dress. Its later scarf or cape sense retained the characteristic hanging ends.

In context

TurkSplainer0:08

Before modern scarves, people used long strips of fabric for warmth, protection, and decoration. One unusual example was the tippet.

Tippet: The Medieval Neckwear That Became a Symbol of Status

More examples

The portrait shows a silk tippet around the neck.
She fastened the tippet over her dress.
The costume included a long black tippet.

Forms

tippet · tippets

Similar words

scarf: A scarf is a general neck or shoulder covering; a tippet is traditionally a narrow ornamental piece.
stole: A stole is usually a longer or broader shoulder wrap; a tippet is typically narrower.