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wrapper

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 loose, open-fronted gown or dressing gown, worn by both sexes in the 18th and 19th centuries for informal wear, appearing in poetry as a marker of domestic comfort and relaxed intimacy.

Detailed Definition
The wrapper was a staple of morning attire, often made of quilted silk, chintz, or wool, and its description in poetry signals a scene of informal domestic life. Unlike the structured outer garments of the day, the wrapper allowed for ease of movement and was often worn at breakfast or during leisure hours. Poets use the wrapper to create a contrast between public formality and private authenticity—a character in a wrapper is more likely to speak frankly or reveal their true emotions. In sentimental poetry, a woman in a wrapper tending to her children or sewing by the fire embodies the virtues of home. Its open front also makes it a garment of quick donning, suitable for answering the door or comforting a crying child, thus linking it to the spontaneous, unguarded moments of family life.
Example
Example in poetry:
"Her wrapper of floral chintz was the costume of a morning at home"; "He tied his wrapper and settled into the armchair with his book"; "The wrapper's loose folds draped her like a Roman matron in repose"; "She shrugged off her wrapper and faced the day's demands"; "The wrapper, faded by many washings, held the scent of lavender"; "He wore his wrapper to the window and watched the fog lift from the garden"
Additional Notes
The wrapper was a staple of morning attire in the 18th and 19th centuries, often made of quilted silk, chintz, or wool, and its description in poetry signals a scene of informal domestic life. Unlike the structured outer garments of the day, the wrapper allowed for ease of movement and was often worn at breakfast or during leisure hours, making it a garment of authenticity and relaxation. Poets use the wrapper to create a contrast between public formality and private authenticity—a character in a wrapper is more likely to speak frankly or reveal their true emotions. In sentimental poetry, a woman in a wrapper tending to her children or sewing by the fire embodies the virtues of home. Its open front also makes it a garment of quick donning, suitable for answering the door or comforting a crying child. Related terms include dressing gown, robe, and peignoir. Students should note the wrapper's association with domestic privacy and its role as a marker of unguarded, intimate moments in contrast to public attire.
Also Known As
loose robe dressing gown informal garment
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