peruke

noun

pe·​ruke pə-ˈrük How to pronounce peruke (audio)
: wig
specifically : one of a type popular from the 17th to the early 19th century
peruked adjective

Illustration of peruke

Illustration of peruke

Word History

Etymology

Middle French perruque, from Old Italian parrucca, perrucca hair, wig

First Known Use

circa 1549, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of peruke was circa 1549

Dictionary Entries Near peruke

Cite this Entry

“Peruke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peruke. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

peruke

noun
pe·​ruke pə-ˈrük How to pronounce peruke (audio)
: a kind of wig popular in the 17th and 18th centuries

More from Merriam-Webster on peruke

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!