Obs. Forms: α. 6 verdynggale, 6–7 verdingale, -all. β. 6–8 vardingale (6 Sc. ward-). γ. 6 vardingard. [ad. obs. F. verdugale, vertugale, vertugade (16th c.), ad. Sp. verdugado, f. verdugo rod, stick. See also VERDUGAL.] A framework of hoops formerly used by women to extend their skirts; = FARTHINGALE.
α. 1552. [see FARTHINGALE].
1597. J. King, On Jonas (1618), 478. Fashion brought-in the verdingale, and carried out the verdingale, and hath againe reuiued the verdingale…, and placed it behinde, like a rudder.
1609. Rowley, Search for Money (Percy Soc.), 23. Wee have verdingales to beare up our bands, as they had to support their loose britches.
β. 1560. Acc. Ld. H. Treas. Scot., XI. 163. For ane wardingale to hir.
1574. in Feuillerat, Revels Q. Eliz. (1908), 240. A hamper to pack the vard[i]ngales in.
1603. Dekker, Wonderful Yeare, Wks. (Grosart), I. 157. The meanest that was there … was in … her vardingale, her turkie grograin kirtle.
1614. Sylvester, Bethulia’s Rescue, V. 219. From Vardingale to Vardingale, hee flyes His brave Lievtenant, lest Hee him surprise.
1673, 1753. [see FARTHINGALE].
γ. 1578. Inv. R. Wardr. (1815), 230. Ane vardingard of blak taffetie the foirskirt of satine pasmentit with gold.
transf. and fig. 1590. R. W[ilson], Three Lords & Ladies London (Roxb.), 295. Thou from Dissimulation art sent, And bring’st a gown of glosing,… A vardingale of vaine boast.
1592. Greene, Def. Conny Catching, Wks. (Grosart), XI. 96. Blest be the French sleeues & breech verdingales, that grants them liberty to conny-catch so mightily.
