pantaloon

[pan-tl-oon] /ˌpæn tlˈun/
noun
1.
pantaloons, a man's close-fitting garment for the hips and legs, worn especially in the 19th century, but varying in form from period to period; trousers.
2.
(usually initial capital letter). Also, Pantalone
[pan-tl-oh-ney, pahn-; Italian pahn-tah-law-ne] /ˌpæn tlˈoʊ neɪ, ˌpɑn-; Italian ˌpɑn tɑˈlɔ nɛ/ (Show IPA)
. (in commedia dell'arte) a foolish old Venetian merchant, usually the head of a household, generally lascivious and frequently deceived in the course of lovers' intrigues.
3.
(in the modern pantomime) a foolish, vicious old man, the butt and accomplice of the clown.
Origin
1580-90; < Middle French Pantalon < Upper Italian (Venetian) Pantalone nickname for a Venetian, variant of Pantaleone, name of a 4th-century saint once a favorite of the Venetians
British Dictionary definitions for pantaloon

pantaloon

/ˌpæntəˈluːn/
noun (theatre)
1.
(in pantomime) an absurd old man, the butt of the clown's tricks
2.
(usually capital) (in commedia dell'arte) a lecherous old merchant dressed in pantaloons
Word Origin
C16: from French Pantalon, from Italian Pantalone, local nickname for a Venetian, probably from San Pantaleone, a fourth-century Venetian saint
Word Origin and History for pantaloon

Pantaloon

n.

skinny, foolish old man in Italian comedy, 1580s; see pantaloons. As a kind of leggings, 1660s.

Encyclopedia Article for pantaloon

Pantaloon

stock character of the 16th-century Italian commedia dell'arte-a cunning and rapacious yet often deceived Venetian merchant.

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