foul-weather gear
1
3.3
- noun
- /faʊl ˈwɛðər ɡɪr/
:
ropa de mal tiempo
- The hikers packed their foul-weather gear because the forecast predicted heavy rain during their trip.
- yellow foul-weather gear
Examples
-
Then he remembered how it happened: Hansen, the pockmarked boatswain, chief of the deck gang, had stood by the starboard wing of the bridge, a small figure in foul-weather gear.
Fiction book (1998) -
Foul-weather gear.
-
He had foul-weather gear, extra oarlocks and tools, and a second pair of oars.
Fiction book (2000) -
Before heading out for the storm, she made sure to put on her foul-weather gear to stay dry.
-
He wore his foul-weather gear while fishing to protect himself from the rain and wind.
Synonyms
18
3.4
A light jacket that keeps wind and light rain out
5
1.6
Clothing worn outside over other clothes like coats or jackets
4
1.6
Clothing and items like a raincoat or umbrella that keep you dry in rain
1
1.8
Clothing that keeps you dry in the rain
1
2.0
A coat that keeps you dry in the rain
A thin jacket that keeps out wind and light rain
How Waterproof
Surface Forms
Morphology
foul-weather + gear
The meaning 'protective clothing for bad weather' is directly and predictably built from the constituents: 'foul' (bad/unpleasant) + 'weather' (conditions) forming 'foul-weather' and 'gear' (equipment). This is a regular compound/compositional pattern (cf. 'rain gear', 'wet-weather gear') that a B1 learner who knows the parts can readily infer.
Etymology
The compound foul-weather gear comes from a simple picture: people putting on special gear when foul, an old word for 'bad', weather arrives. Sailors and outdoor workers wore heavy coats, hats and boots to stay dry and warm, so the phrase now means 'clothes and equipment' that keep you dry and warm in bad weather.