frizette
Obsolete/Very Low FrequencyHistorical/Archaic
Definition
Meaning
A false front or cluster of curls, specifically a small wig or hairpiece made of frizzed hair, worn by women in the 18th and 19th centuries.
A historical term for an artificial hair accessory; can refer by extension to any frizzy or tightly curled piece of hair, either natural or artificial.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is specific to historical fashion and is not used in modern hairdressing. It denotes an object (a hairpiece), not a style.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No contemporary difference. Both regions used the term historically; it is now equally obsolete in both.
Connotations
Historical, quaint, associated with period costume.
Frequency
Effectively zero in modern usage in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to wear a frizetteto adjust one's frizettea frizette of [material]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Found in historical texts on fashion and material culture.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Used in historical costume design and theatre wardrobe contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The actress had her hair frizetted for the role.
- She would often frizette her fringe.
American English
- She had her hair frizetted for the costume ball.
- To achieve the look, they must frizette the hairpiece.
adverb
British English
- Her hair was dressed frizettedly, in the old fashion.
- The curls were arranged frizettedly.
American English
- The hair was styled frizettedly, a nod to the 18th century.
- It was curled frizettedly to match the portrait.
adjective
British English
- Her frizetted curls were held with a pearl pin.
- The frizetted wig looked remarkably authentic.
American English
- The frizetted hairpiece completed the Victorian ensemble.
- She chose a frizetted front for her historical reenactment.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- In the old picture, the lady has a frizette in her hair.
- For the play, she needed to wear a historical frizette.
- The museum's exhibition featured a delicate 18th-century frizette made of human hair.
- The term 'frizette' fell into disuse as hairstyles shifted towards more natural forms in the late Victorian era.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: FRIZzette is a FRIZzy trinkETTE you put on your head.
Conceptual Metaphor
HAIR IS AN ACCESSORY (treating hair as a detachable ornament).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'фризер' (freezer).
- Not directly related to 'завивка' (perm), which is a treatment, not an object.
- The '-ette' suffix indicates smallness/femininity, similar to 'куколка'.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'frisette'.
- Using it to describe modern hair styling (e.g., 'I got a frizette at the salon').
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'frizette' primarily?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an obsolete term used only in historical or costume contexts.
No, it specifically refers to an artificial accessory, not a natural hairstyle.
A frizette is typically a small piece, often just a front or cluster of curls, whereas a wig covers the whole head.
It is pronounced frih-ZET, with the stress on the second syllable.