I. ˈkäˌst(y)üm, sometimes ˈ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ or ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ or ˈkästəm or sporadically ˈkäschəm noun
( -s )
Etymology: French, from Italian costume custom, dress, from Latin consuetudin-, consuetudo custom — more at custom
1. archaic : custom or style with respect to manners, dress, arms, and other surroundings of a place or period depicted in a painting
2. : the distinctive style and prevailing fashion of personal adornment including the style of wearing the hair, jewelry, and apparel of all kinds characteristic of any period, country, class, occupation, or occasion
3. : the distinctive dress of a particular period, locality, or occupation worn in the drama, at fancy-dress balls, or for festivals or carnivals
4. : the chiefly outer garments worn by a person at any one time ; especially : a woman's ensemble of dress with coat or jacket
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to provide with a costume
costumed in medieval armor
: design costumes for
costume a play
III. adjective
1.
a. : characterized by the use of costume (sense 3)
a costume ball
b. : depicting or portraying a subject taken from a bygone age or set in an exotic locale and usually marked by the display or depiction of colorful costumes or pageantry
a costume movie
a costume novel
2. : suitable for or enhancing the effect of a particular costume
a costume handbag