night rail

noun

ˈnīt-ˌrāl

archaic

: nightgown

Word History

Etymology

night entry 1 + rail "loose outer garment worn by women, scarf, shawl," going back to Middle English reyel, reil "garment," going back to Old English hrægl, hregl "cloak, garment," going back to Germanic *hregil-, *hregul- (whence also Old Frisian hreil "garment," Old High German hregil "garment, armor"), probably from an accentual variant of *hrehula- "device for holding or separating yarn" — more at reel entry 1

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of night rail was in 1552

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Night rail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/night%20rail. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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