Frock sb.

Forms: 4–5 frokke, 5 frogge, 4–6 frok(e, Sc. or north. frog, 6–7 frocke, 6– frock. [a. F. froc (recorded from 12th c.); of uncertain origin.

  Cf. Pr. floc frock, med.L. froccus, floccus. Some scholars regard the fl- forms as the original, and identify the word with L. floccus, OF. floc FLOCK sb.² Others regard froc as adopted from a Teut. word, OHG. hroch (once), OS. hroc (once), OFris. hrokk (rare); but in these forms it is believed by many Germanists that the hr- is a misspelling without phonetic significance, the usual forms being OHG. roch (mod.Ger. rock), OFris. rokk, OE. rocc.]

  1.  A long habit with large open sleeves; the outer and characteristic dress of a monk. Rarely, a cassock (of an Anglican clergyman). Hence, the priestly office which it indicates. Cf. UNFROCK v.

1350.  Durh. MS. Cha. Roll. In xj pannis … præter ij frokkes.

1362.  Langl., P. Pl., A. V. 64. Of a freris frokke were the foresleuys.

c. 1440.  Promp. Parv., 179/2. Froke, monkes habyte … cuculla.

1466.  Paston Lett., No. 549, II. 270. For a cope called a frogge of worsted for the Prior of Bromholm xxvi s. viii d.

1548.  Udall, Erasm. Par., Luke xix. 3–4. An other poynteth to some one of the pharisaical sort, clad in a blacke frocke or cope.

1683.  Temple, Mem., Wks. 1731, I. 465. A French Monk, who some time since had left his Frock for a Petticoat.

1762.  H. Walpole, Vertue’s Anecd. Paint. I. iii. 51. As the frock of no religious order ever was green, this cannot be meant for a friar.

1810.  Scott, Lady of L., III. iv. The Hermit by it stood, Barefooted, in his frock and hood.

1887.  W. Gladden, Parish Problems, 333. It was the utterance of such words as these that cost the great Carmelite preacher [Father Hyacinthe] his frock.

  2.  An upper garment worn chiefly by men; a long coat, tunic, or mantle.

13[?].  E. E. Allit. P., B. 1742. Þe kyng comaunded anon to cleþe þat wyse, In frokkes of fyn cloþ.

1375.  Barbour, Bruce, X. 375. With blak froggis all helit thai The Armouris at thai on thame had.

c. 1425.  Wyntoun, Cron., VIII. xxxviii. 57. Ilkane a gud Burdowne in hand, And royd Frogis on þare Armyng.

c. 1460.  Towneley Myst. (Surtees), 241. I wold be fayn of this frog [Christ’s coat] myght it fall vnto me.

1500–30.  Dunbar, Poems, li. 3. To giff a doublett he is als doure, As it war off ane futt syd frog.

1527.  Lanc. Wills, I. 6. And also that he geiff to Richard Fene a jakett called my frocke.

1611.  Bible, Ecclus. xl. 4. From him that weareth purple, and a crown, vnto him that is clothed with a linnen frocke.

1649.  G. Daniel, Trinarch., Hen. V., clxxix. Another girds his Frock, w^th a sure Thonge.

1700.  Dryden, Sigism. & Guisc., 144. Yet (for the wood perplexed with thorns he knew) A frock of leather o’er his limbs he drew.

1844.  W. H. Kelly, trans. L. Blanc’s, The History of the Ten Years, 1830–40, II. 573–4. About noon the queen [Victoria] alighted at the doors of the abbey, where were already assembled those who were to witness her coronation; judges bending under the weight of their enormous wigs, kings at arms covered with long frocks of cloth of gold, lords temporal and spiritual, peers and peeresses, members of the House of Commons and O’Connell in a court suit!

  fig.  1604.  Shaks., Ham., III. iv. 164 (Qo. 2). That monster custome … to the vse of actions faire and good … giues a frock or Liuery That aptly is put on to refraine night.

  b.  Frock of mail: a defensive garment, armor. Cf. coat of mail.

1671.  Milton, Samson, 133 Samson … Made arms ridiculous, useless the … frock of mail Adamantean proof.

1835.  Browning, Paracelsus, III. 715.. I have addressed a frock of heavy mail, Yet may not join the troop of sacred knights.

  fig.  1841–4.  Emerson, Ess., Politics, Wks. (Bohn), I. 244. The gladiators in the lists of power feel, through all their frocks of force and simulation the presence of worth.

  3.  A loose outer garment worn by peasants and workmen; an overall; more fully smock-frock.

a. 1668.  Davenant, News from Plymouth, IV. i.

1698.  J. Fryer, A New Account of East-India and Persia, 95. The Civilest of them wear Flesh-coloured Vests, somewhat like our Brick-makers Frocks, and almost of that Colour.

1724.  De Foe, Mem. Cavalier (1840), 237. I was loath to shoot the fellow, though I had pistols under my grey frock, as well for that the noise of a pistol might bring more people in.

1777.  Watson, Philip II. (1839), 525. Three officers … disguised like the peasants of that country with long frocks.

1840.  R. H. Dana, Bef. Mast, xxxvi. 136. The duck frocks for tarring down rigging.

1883.  C. Walford, Fairs, 153. Dealers in haubergs, or waggoners frocks.

  b.  A wearer of a smock-frock; a poor person.

1612.  W. Parkes, Curtaine-Dr. (1876), 25. The rich and the poore, euen from the furd gown to the sweating frock.

1625.  B. Jonson, The Staple of Newes, V. ii.

  c.  A woollen ‘guernsey’ or ‘jersey’ worn by sailors; esp. in Guernsey or Jersey frock.

1811.  W. Thom, Hist. Aberd., vi. 150. Besides stockings, they make frocks, mitts, and all sorts of hosiery.

1825.  Jamieson, Frock, a sort of worsted netting worn by sailors, often in lieu of a shirt.

1856.  Emerson, Eng. Traits, Voy. Eng., Wks. (Bohn), II. 13. The sailors have dressed him in [a] Guernsey frock.

1867.  Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., Frog, an old term for a seaman’s coat or frock. Ibid., Jersey frocks, woollen frocks supplied to seamen.

  4.  The outer garment, for indoor wear, of women and children, consisting of a bodice and skirt; a gown, dress.

  The word is now applied chiefly to the garment worn by children and young girls, cf. short frock; that worn by women is commonly called a dress; gown is also current, though (exc. in the U.S.) less generally. (But in the language of fashionable society the use of frock for ‘dress’ has within the last few years been revived.)

1538.  Bury Wills (Camden) 134. I wyll my goddowter and seruant, shall haue my wosted kyrtell … and my froke.

1550.  Crowley, Way to Wealth, 325. Let youre wiues therefore put of theire fine frockes and Frenche hoodes.

1613.  Drayton, Poly-olb., xviii. 284. And on her loynes a frock with many a swelling pleate.

1705.  Lond. Gaz., No. 4117/4. Cloathed with a red Damask Coat, with blue Flowers, and over it a white Holland Frock. Ibid., No. 4149/4. James Smith, upwards of 4 years of Age, in a hanging Sleeve Coat, and a painted Frock … is missing.

1755.  Johnson, s.v. Frock, A kind of gown for children.

1818.  La Belle Assemblée, XVII. No. 108. 87/2. The newest ball-dress is composed of a frock of tulle, over a rose-coloured slip of satin.

1833.  Ht. Martineau, Three Ages, III. 108. Striving to patch up once more the girl’s frock and the boy’s coat.

1867.  Trollope, Chron. Barset, II. xlv. 9. Mamma, I don’t think I’ve ever been in London since I wore short frocks.

1882.  Miss Braddon, Mt. Royal, II. vii. 143. I was sorry for Fishky, who looked lovely in her white satin frock and orange-blossoms, but who had a piteous droop about the corners of her lips, like a child whose birthday feast has gone wrong.

1884.  Girl’s Own Paper, 28 June, 618/3. I think ‘frock’ seems to be applied to the morning costume, and ‘dress’ to that of evening only.

1889.  Barrie, Window in Thrums, 172. There could never be more than a Sabbath frock and an everyday gown for her.

  5.  A coat with long skirts. In mod. quots. = FROCK-COAT.

1719.  De Foe, Crusoe, II. vi. A light coat like a frock.

1748.  Smollett, Rod. Rand. (1812), I. 387. A gentleman dressed in a green frock came in.

1770.  W. Richardson, Anecd. Russian Emp., 325. A light blue frock with silver frogs.

1839–40.  W. Irving, Wolfert’s R. (1855), 162. I observed the Duke of Wellington, who was on a brief visit to Paris. He was alone, simply attired in a blue frock.

1855.  Thackeray, Newcomes, I. 128. Dine in your frock … if your dress-coat is in the country.

1876.  Besant & Rice, Gold. Butterfly, III. xi. 194. Now he not only wore his habitual pepper-and-salt suit, but the coat in which he wrote at his office—a comfortable easy old frock, a little baggy at the elbows.

  b.  A coat of a similar ‘cut’ used as a military uniform; spec. see quot. 1881.

1753.  Hanway, Trav. (1762), I. VII. xcii. 422. He often appears in boots, and always in his regimentals, which are a blue cloth frock with silver brandenburgs.

1881.  Wilhelm, Milit. Dict., Frock, in the British service, the undress regimental coat of the guards, artillery, and royal marines.

1890.  19th Cent., Nov., 842. The stable jacket will retain its freshness, as its owner drills in his ‘service frock.’

  6.  attrib. and Comb., frock-body; frock-like adj.; † frock-clothes, -dress (rare), dress of which a frock-coat is a part: so frock-suit; † frock-man = 3 b; frock-uniform, undress uniform (see 5 b).

1862.  F. Wilford, Maiden of our own day, 97. I can make this *frock-body while you are making the skirt.

1769.  Public Advertiser, 1 June, 3/2. Silk Cloths … for Gentlemens Dress and *Frock Cloaths.

1854.  T. Buchanan, in Harper’s Mag., Jan. (1884), 256/1. I was invited ‘in *frock dress’ to the dinner.

1886.  W. J. Tucker, E. Europe, 183. From beneath his vest there hung … the *frock-like ‘gatya’ (drawers) of the Magyar peasant.

1657.  Reeve, God’s Plea for Nineveh, II. 46. If ye fight for the wall, let not the *frokman take the right hand of you in worth.

1810.  Wellington, in Gurw., Desp., VI. 591. We … shall be highly flattered by your company … whether in full or in *frock uniforms.

  Hence Frockhood, the state of being dressed in a (short) frock; † Frockified ppl. a., clad in a (monk’s) frock.

1708.  Motteux, Rabelais, IV. xlvi. (1737), 186. A frockify’d Hobgoblin.

1861.  Wynter, Soc. Bees, 124. How many Billies and Bobbies, revelling in all the glorious ease of frockhood, have you not reduced to the cruel purgatory of breeches.