Definition

1. Noun:
   • A wig for men that was fashionable in the 17th and 18th centuries: A "peruke" is a specific type of wig, typically made of human or synthetic hair, worn by men as a fashionable item of dress during the 17th and 18th centuries. It is often associated with formal court dress, the legal profession, and the aristocracy of that era.

Usage

• The word "peruke" is a historical term. It is used primarily when discussing historical fashion, costume, or specific historical figures and periods.
• It is a formal and somewhat archaic word. In modern contexts, the more general term "wig" is typically used, while "peruke" specifies the historical style.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The judge's traditional attire included a black robe and a white peruke.
  • Portraits from the 18th century often show gentlemen wearing elaborately styled perukes.
  • The actor wore an authentic peruke for his role as Louis XIV.

Advanced Usage

• "To wear the peruke": This phrase can be used metaphorically to signify adopting a formal, traditional, or official role, especially one associated with the past.
  • Upon taking his seat in the high court, he symbolically wore the peruke of his predecessors.

Variants and Related Words

• Periwig (n): An older term, largely synonymous with "peruke," for a man's wig fashionable in the 17th and 18th centuries.
• Wig (n): The general modern term for an artificial head of hair.

Synonyms

• Wig: The general term.
• Hairpiece: A more modern term that can refer to a partial wig or addition of hair.
• Toupee: Specifically refers to a small wig or hairpiece worn to cover a bald spot (not typically as large or elaborate as a historical peruke).

Antonyms

• Natural hair: One's own biological hair.
• Baldness: The state of having no hair on the scalp.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Powdered peruke": A common phrase referring to the practice of powdering these wigs white with starch or flour, a key fashion trend of the era.
  • The ambassador arrived in a coat of silk and a powdered peruke.

Noun

1. a wig for men that was fashionable in the 17th and 18th centuries