noun
Common
spencer
SPEHN-suh
Spencer (noun) means a short, close-fitting jacket, historically worn by men in the 18th century and later by women and children in the early 19th century. Example: “Museums display a wool spencer once worn by a gentleman of fashion.”
noun
1
A short, close-fitting jacket, historically worn by men in the 18th century and later by women and children in the early 19th century.
"Museums display a wool spencer once worn by a gentleman of fashion."
"Her grandmother knitted her a little red spencer for the cold spring days."
"The portrait showed her in a cream spencer over a high-waisted gown."
2
A small fore-and-aft sail set on a mast of a square-rigged ship.
"Sailors hauled the spencer up the mast as the wind shifted."
"A torn spencer had to be repaired before the old ship could leave harbour."
"The crew raised the spencer to help steady the ship in the crosswind."
How to use spencer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA short fitted jacket from historical fashion, or a small sail on an old sailing ship.
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Word forms
- Plural
- spencers
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Museums display a wool _____ once worn by a gentleman of fashion.
Etymology
Named after George Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer (1758–1834), who is said to have popularized the short jacket style.
Rhymes for spencer
See all rhymes for spencer →Frequently asked questions
What does “spencer” mean?
The word “spencer” means a short, close-fitting jacket, historically worn by men in the 18th century and later by women and children in the early 19th century. In plain terms, a short fitted jacket from historical fashion, or a small sail on an old sailing ship.
How do you pronounce “spencer”?
“Spencer” is pronounced SPEHN-suh (/ˈspɛnsə/ in IPA).
How do you use “spencer” in a sentence?
Here is “spencer” used in a sentence: “The portrait showed her in a cream spencer over a high-waisted gown.”
What part of speech is “spencer”?
“Spencer” is a noun.
Where does the word “spencer” come from?
The word “spencer” dates back to around 1758. Named after George Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer (1758–1834), who is said to have popularized the short jacket style.
Is “spencer” a common word?
“Spencer” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “spencer” have?
“Spencer” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a short, close-fitting jacket, historically worn by men in the 18th century and later by women and children in the early 19th century.
When was the spencer jacket worn?
The spencer was worn by men in the 18th century and became fashionable for women and children in the early 19th century, during the Regency era. It was a short, close-fitting jacket that ended at or above the waist.
Is a spencer a type of sail as well as a jacket?
Yes. In sailing, a spencer is a small fore-and-aft sail set on a mast of a square-rigged ship, quite separate from the clothing sense. Context normally makes clear which meaning is intended.
What is the difference between a spencer and a bolero?
Both are short jackets that end around the waist or higher. A spencer is close-fitting and typically long-sleeved, following the lines of the bodice, while a bolero is usually looser, open at the front, and often worn as a decorative layer.
Should spencer be capitalised?
When it names the garment or the sail, spencer is a common noun and is written in lower case. With a capital letter, Spencer is a personal name, both a surname and a given name, so capitalisation depends on which use you intend.
