Skip to main content
allonge

allonge

9.9
A long, full wig worn by men in the 1600s and 1700s to show status
  • noun
  • /əˈlɒnʒ/
  • Archaic
translation icon : peluca
  • In portraits of French nobility, the men often wore a grand allonge to display their status.

Examples

  • The museum's costume exhibit features an authentic allonge from the 18th century.

  • He completed his historical costume with a white allonge and a velvet coat.

  • He wore an elegant allonge to the gala.

  • The allonges of the nobility were quite extravagant.

  • In portraits of French nobility, the men often wore a grand allonge to display their status.

  • The museum's costume exhibit features an authentic allonge from the 18th century.

  • He completed his historical costume with a white allonge and a velvet coat.

Synonyms

hairpiece
vsallonge
18 3.6

A piece of hair worn to hide baldness or change hairstyle

is long and full and signifies historical status rather than simple hair replacement
periwig
vsallonge
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A wig for men often worn by rich people and judges in the past

is longer and fuller in appearance than most general era coverings
peruke
vsallonge
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A man's wig worn in the 1600s and 1700s

is typically longer and fuller than most fashionable era coverings
horsehair wig
vsallonge
  • UK
1 9.0

A head covering made from horse hair that judges wear in court

is long and full and represents social status rather than specific court use

Surface Forms

allonge singular
allonges plural

Etymology

Allonge for a wig comes from the French allonger meaning 'to lengthen' and is linked to the English long. The name fits because the allonge was a long, full wig that 'lengthened' a man's hair to show style and status.