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tablier

Apparel
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A French term for an apron, often more decorative than a work apron, worn as a fashion accessory or for formal serving, appearing in poetry to evoke French elegance and domestic refinement.

Detailed Definition
The tablier is essentially a French-style apron, often made of lace, silk, or fine linen, and worn not only for protection but also as a fashion statement—think of the maids in a French château or the women of Versailles. In poetry, the tablier often appears in scenes of French domestic life, from the boudoir to the dining room, and its description includes ribbons, flounces, and embroidery. It is also worn by servants, so its use can signal class dynamics. In love poetry, a woman might adjust her tablier, a small gesture that draws attention to her waist. Its French origin gives it a sophisticated, continental flair, and English poets of the 18th and 19th centuries sometimes used the word to add a touch of Gallic chic to their descriptions of household scenes.
Example
Example in poetry:
"Her tablier of white linen was a French touch in the English kitchen"; "The tablier's ruffles were a flourish in the formal dining room"; "She tied her tablier and became a servant of elegance"; "The tablier, embroidered with flowers, was a garment of pride"; "He admired her tablier and knew she was a woman of taste"; "The tablier's apron strings were a bow of perfection"
Additional Notes
The tablier is essentially a French-style apron, often made of lace, silk, or fine linen, and worn not only for protection but also as a fashion statement—think of the maids in a French château or the women of Versailles. In poetry, the tablier often appears in scenes of French domestic life, from the boudoir to the dining room, and its description includes ribbons, flounces, and embroidery. It is also worn by servants, so its use can signal class dynamics. In love poetry, a woman might adjust her tablier, a small gesture that draws attention to her waist. Its French origin gives it a sophisticated, continental flair. Related terms include apron, pinafore, and smock. Students should note the tablier's associations with French elegance and domestic service.
Also Known As
pinafore apron work skirt protective overskirt
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