Attire
/əˈtaɪər/noun
Clothing or garments, especially of a particular kind or style.
Did you know?Attire entered English through Old French atirer, a word associated with equipping or arranging someone, while its deeper connection to “tier” reflects the idea of things placed in ordered ranks.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Romance / Medieval Latin
Vulgar Latin
*tirare
“To draw or pull; the probable source of the Old French family, though its ultimate origin is uncertain.”
12th Century
Old French
atirer
“To equip, adorn, prepare, or arrange.”
12th–13th Century
Old French
atire
“Equipment, adornment, or dress.”
Late 13th Century
Anglo-French
atiren
“To equip or dress.”
14th Century
Middle English
atire
“Clothing, dress, or personal adornment.”
Modern English
English
attire
“Clothing or garments, especially clothing associated with a particular style or occasion.”