dirndl
UK[ˈdɜːndl̩]US[ˈdɜːrndl̩]
n
A traditional Alpine woman's dress with a tight bodice, full skirt, and apron.
n
A full, gathered skirt styled after such a dress.
Etymology
The word 'dirndl' entered English as a direct borrowing from the Bavarian and Austrian German dialect term 'Dirndl', which itself is a diminutive of the Middle High German word 'dirne', meaning 'girl'. Originally, 'Dirndl' referred simply to a young woman or a maid. Over time, by metonymy, the term became attached to the traditional dress commonly worn by such women in the Alpine regions. The English adoption in the 20th century retains the specific cultural reference to the garment, losing the original general meaning of 'girl' and focusing solely on the distinctive style of dress.
Analysis
The word 'dirndl' is a simplex loanword from Bavarian/Austrian German. It is a diminutive form of the German word 'Dirne', which historically meant 'girl' or 'young woman'.
Examples
She wore a beautiful dirndl to the Oktoberfest celebration.
The costume shop offered a variety of dirndls in different colors and fabrics.
Her wedding dress was inspired by a traditional Austrian dirndl.