What does frisette mean?
Frisette is a historical English noun for a small frill or ruff and, by extension, a close-fitting, frilled cap or bonnet associated with women's dress. The word is not normally encountered in contemporary speech, but it is useful to readers of period costume, fashion history, and older literature because it distinguishes a particular accessory from a generic frill. A frisette could be described in terms of its fabric, edging, lace, ribbons, or position at the back or front of the head, and references often evoke the restrained decorative details of early nineteenth-century bonnets. Its modern associations are therefore mainly historical or nostalgic rather than everyday. Although the spelling might suggest a modern diminutive ending, the word is an established borrowing from French, where frisette was formed as a diminutive related to frise. It should not be confused with a frizz, a curl or mass of curled hair, or with a frizzle, a food preparation or a verb meaning to curl or fry lightly.
nounA small frill or ruff, especially a frilled cap or bonnet of a kind worn by women.
- A frilled cap or bonnet, especially a close-fitting women's head covering.
- A small frill or ruff.
"The bride wore a delicate lace frisette beneath her veil."
"The milliner set a delicate lace frisette against the bride's hair."
"A narrow ribbon formed a simple frisette around the bonnet."
The regular plural is used when referring to multiple frills, ruffles, or frilled head coverings.
"The costume included two lace frisettes, one for each dancer."
Once a recognizable item of women's fashion, the frisette survives mainly as a clue to the delicate accessories of historical dress.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does frisette come from?
The English noun comes from French frisette, a diminutive of frise, associated with a frill or ruff. French frise and friser belong to a word family connected with curling or frizzing, which also produced English cognates such as frizz and frizzle. The English term is now chiefly historical and refers to a frilled head covering or a small decorative frill.
Related word forms
How frisette is actually used
The word is archaic or historical and is now encountered chiefly in older literature, costume descriptions, and fashion history. It can denote either the frilled head covering itself or a small decorative frill associated with it.
Easily confused with frisette
A frizzle is food cooked in a pan or material that has been curled, whereas a frisette is a frill or frilled head covering.