clothe

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb provide with clothes or put clothes on
  2. verb furnish with power or authority; of kings or emperors
  3. verb cover as if with clothing

Etymology

From Middle English clothen, from Old English *clāþian (“to clothe”), from Proto-Germanic *klaiþōną (“to clothe”), from Proto-Indo-European *gley- (“to adhere to, stick”). Cognate with Dutch kleden, German kleiden, Swedish kläda, after apocope klä. See also cloth, clad.

In classic literature

Synonyms

dress, enclothe, garb, raiment, tog, garment, habilitate, fit out, apparel

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