n.
Pronunciation: ' fa-sh ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English facioun, fasoun shape, manner, from Anglo-French façun, fauschoun, from Latin faction-, factio act of making, faction, from facere to make ― more at DO
Date: 14th century
1 a : the make or form of something b archaic : KIND , SORT
2 a : a distinctive or peculiar and often habitual manner or way <he will, after his sour fashion , tell you ― Shakespeare> b : mode of action or operation <assembled in an orderly fashion >
3 a : a prevailing custom, usage, or style b (1) : the prevailing style (as in dress) during a particular time (2) : a garment in such a style <always wears the latest fashion s > c : social standing or prominence especially as signalized by dress or conduct <men and women of fashion >
– after a fashion : in an approximate or rough way <became an artist after a fashion >
synonyms FASHION , STYLE , MODE , VOGUE , FAD , RAGE , CRAZE mean the usage accepted by those who want to be up-to-date. FASHION is the most general term and applies to any way of dressing, behaving, writing, or performing that is favored at any one time or place <the current fashion >. STYLE often implies a distinctive fashion adopted by people of taste <a media baron used to traveling in style >. MODE suggests the fashion of the moment among those anxious to appear elegant and sophisticated <slim bodies are the mode at this resort>. VOGUE stresses the wide acceptance of a fashion <short skirts are back in vogue >. FAD suggests caprice in taking up or in dropping a fashion <last year's fad is over>. RAGE and CRAZE stress intense enthusiasm in adopting a fad <Cajun food was the rage nearly everywhere for a time> <crossword puzzles once seemed just a passing craze but have lasted>. synonym see in addition METHOD