trews
Noun (plural noun, used with a plural verb): 1. A type of tight-fitting trousers, typically made from tartan wool: Trews are a traditional garment, closely resembling trousers but often cut on the bias for a snug fit from the waist to the ankle. They are historically associated with Scottish and Irish military and civilian dress.
Trews are a specific item of clothing. The word is always used in the plural form, similar to "pants" or "trousers." * They are considered formal or traditional Highland dress, often worn as an alternative to a kilt. * The term specifically denotes a tailored, close-fitting garment, distinguishing it from baggier trousers.
- "A pair of trews": The standard way to refer to one unit of this garment.
- She bought a new pair of dress trews.
- Tartan (noun): A patterned cloth consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours, traditionally associated with Scotland. This is the material from which trews are commonly made.
- Breeks (noun, plural, chiefly Scottish): Another term for trousers or breeches, sometimes used interchangeably with "trews" in historical contexts.
- Trousers (noun): A more general term for an outer garment covering the body from the waist to the ankles.
- Breeches (noun, plural): Historical term for trousers ending just below the knee.
The primary and specific meaning relates to tight-fitting tartan trousers. While "trews" can be used poetically or archaically to mean "trousers" in general, its contemporary use almost exclusively refers to the traditional Scottish garment. It does not refer to shorts or any other type of legwear.
- tight-fitting trousers; usually of tartan