casaque: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / NicheTechnical / Specialized (Racing), Historical / Archaic (Fashion)
Quick answer
What does “casaque” mean?
A type of lightweight coat or tunic, historically a long, loose-fitting garment worn by jockeys or as a sports jacket.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of lightweight coat or tunic, historically a long, loose-fitting garment worn by jockeys or as a sports jacket.
Primarily refers to the distinctively coloured, often striped, jacket worn by a jockey in horse racing, representing the owner's registered colours. In historical fashion, a woman's loose-fitting, coat-like dress from the 18th century.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Virtually identical usage, confined to horse racing terminology. The fashion sense is equally archaic in both varieties.
Connotations
Direct association with the sport of kings (horse racing), implying tradition, heraldry, and competition.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general language. Understood at a passive level by followers of horse racing.
Grammar
How to Use “casaque” in a Sentence
The jockey wore a [colour] casaque.She was identifiable by her distinctive casaque.The owner's colours are displayed on the casaque.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical studies of fashion or sport.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Core term in horse racing commentary and regulations.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “casaque”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “casaque”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “casaque”
- Misspelling as 'casack', 'cassaque', or 'casacque'.
- Using it to refer to any casual jacket.
- Pronouncing it /ˈkæsək/ (like 'casual') instead of /kəˈsæk/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency, specialized term used almost exclusively in horse racing and historical fashion contexts.
They are often synonyms in racing. 'Silks' is the more common, general term. 'Casaque' can refer more specifically to the jacket part of the silks, and is slightly more technical or traditional.
No, it would be incorrect and confusing. For a modern lightweight coat, use terms like 'windbreaker', 'anorak', or simply 'jacket'.
It is a loanword from French, which itself came from Italian 'casacca' or Spanish 'casaca', meaning a long coat or tunic.
A type of lightweight coat or tunic, historically a long, loose-fitting garment worn by jockeys or as a sports jacket.
Casaque is usually technical / specialized (racing), historical / archaic (fashion) in register.
Casaque: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈsæk/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈsæk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None specific to the word]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CASA in which a jockey keeps his unique, colourful QUEen's jacket – his CASA-QUE (casaque).
Conceptual Metaphor
GARMENT AS IDENTITY / UNIFORM (The casaque is a wearable heraldic symbol representing the owner's stable).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'casaque' most likely to be used in modern English?