peruke: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2/Rare/HistoricalFormal, Historical, Literary
Quick answer
What does “peruke” mean?
A wig, especially one worn by men in the 17th and 18th centuries to denote status, profession, or to cover baldness.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A wig, especially one worn by men in the 17th and 18th centuries to denote status, profession, or to cover baldness.
Historically, an elaborate, often powdered wig; by extension, can refer to any conspicuously artificial or old-fashioned headpiece. Symbolizes outdated fashion, aristocracy, or judicial/legal tradition.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical and equally rare in both varieties. Slightly more likely to appear in British texts due to stronger historical and judicial connections.
Connotations
UK: Strong association with the British legal system (judges' wigs) and 18th-century aristocracy. US: More general historical/connoisseur term, less immediate cultural reference.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. More likely found in historical novels, costume drama scripts, or scholarly texts than in everyday language.
Grammar
How to Use “peruke” in a Sentence
[Subject] + wore + [Article] + peruke[Article] + peruke + [of/with] + [Material/Style]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “peruke” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The judge adjusted his horsehair peruke before delivering the verdict.
- Portraits from the period often show gentlemen in powdered perukes.
American English
- The historical reenactor's peruke was meticulously crafted from human hair.
- He felt ridiculous in the heavy, perfumed peruke.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, theatrical, or sartorial studies.
Everyday
Extremely unlikely.
Technical
Used in costume design, historical reenactment, and wig-making.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “peruke”
- Mispronouncing as /ˈpɛruːk/ (like 'Peru').
- Using it to refer to any modern wig.
- Misspelling as 'perook' or 'perruke'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. While it is a type of wig, 'peruke' specifically refers to the elaborate, often powdered wigs worn by men in the 17th-18th centuries and still ceremonially in some legal systems. It is a historical/technical term.
Outside of specific professional contexts like British court judges and barristers, or historical reenactors, perukes are not worn. The modern equivalent is simply a 'wig' or 'hairpiece'.
They are essentially synonyms. 'Periwig' (from French 'perruque') is the older term from which 'peruke' and later 'wig' are derived. 'Peruke' became the standard English term in the 17th century.
Yes, if it is a modern wig intended to look like natural hair. Calling it a 'peruke' implies it looks artificial, old-fashioned, or costume-like, which could be offensive. The neutral term is 'wig'.
A wig, especially one worn by men in the 17th and 18th centuries to denote status, profession, or to cover baldness.
Peruke is usually formal, historical, literary in register.
Peruke: in British English it is pronounced /pəˈruːk/, and in American English it is pronounced /pəˈruːk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific. Metaphorical use: 'a peruke of excuses' implies a thick, artificial covering for the truth.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a duke named 'Ru' who wears an elaborate wig. It's PERUKE for Duke Ru.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PERUKE is a SHELL/CONTAINER (for the head) representing ARTIFICIALITY, STATUS, or ANACHRONISM.
Practice
Quiz
In which modern context is the word 'peruke' MOST likely to be correctly used?