What does wimpling mean?
Wimpling is the act of wearing, putting on, or arranging a wimple, a traditional cloth headdress that covers the head and often the neck and chin. In contemporary English, the word is rare and usually appears in historical, literary, theatrical, or costume-related descriptions. It may evoke medieval religious dress, formal women's clothing, or modern costuming and role-play. The word can refer both to the physical process of arranging the garment and, by extension, to its broader function of covering or veiling the face. Although wimpling is not restricted geographically to either side of the Atlantic, it sounds deliberately old-fashioned and uncommon. Its distinctive historical associations make it more evocative than a general word such as covering or veiling: a wimple is a particular, recognizable garment rather than an arbitrary veil. Consequently, wimpling lends itself well to descriptions of period dress and visually elaborate coverings.
verb (present participle and gerund)Wimpling means wearing, putting on, or arranging a wimple, a cloth headdress that covers the head and often the neck and chin.
- Wearing, putting on, or arranging a wimple.
- Covering or veiling the face with a wimple or similar cloth.
"The attendant adjusted the folds of her veil as the noblewoman continued wimpling."
"The attendant helped with the folds as the noblewoman continued wimpling."
"In the medieval pageant, each novice practiced wimpling before appearing onstage."
A wimple is among English's most enveloping headdresses, framing the head while covering much of the neck, chin, and sometimes face.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does wimpling come from?
The word comes through Middle English wimple from Old English wimpel, an Old English term for a fold of cloth or a head-covering. English wimple is related to German Wimpel and French guimpe, which also reflect a Germanic word associated with a covering or hanging piece of cloth. The present participle wimpling was formed by adding the usual English -ing ending.
How wimpling is actually used
Wimpling is now rare and chiefly occurs in literary, historical, or costume-related contexts. It is normally encountered as the present participle or gerund of the verb.
Easily confused with wimpling
Dimpling means forming shallow indentations or hollows, whereas wimpling refers to wearing or arranging a wimple.