Agency Dictionary

Chiton

nounPronunciation: /ˈkaɪ.tən/

In Portuguese: Quíton

History & Civilizations

What does “Chiton” mean?

A draped garment or tunic worn by men and women in ancient Greece, usually fastened at the shoulders by brooches.

Etymology

From Greek khiton, "tunic", a word the Greeks borrowed from a Semitic language; related forms meaning linen or a linen garment are found in Hebrew and Akkadian. English uses the word in two ways: in zoology, as the name of a group of molluscs with a shell of overlapping plates, and, from the 19th century, for the garment of ancient Greece. The same Greek word, through French, gave chitin, the substance of the outer covering of insects.

Usage note

The ch is pronounced k and the first syllable rhymes with sky. Outside history and costume, the word most often refers to the mollusc.

Synonyms

tunic

Often confused with

himation: The chiton was the tunic worn next to the body; the himation was the cloak draped over it.

Word family

chitin
chitinous

Rhymes with

titan
brighten
lighten
frighten
tighten
heighten

Usage examples

He is surrounded by his citizens, wearing a chiton (a long tunic) and a himation (a cloak or shawl) while he gives one of his much-renowned public speeches.

Source editions

Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.

Issue.7 - Economy in Crisis Pt.1March 16, 2023Read the edition

Words of the same theme

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eppur si muoveother: An Italian phrase meaning and yet it moves. It is used to affirm that a fact remains true no matter who denies it.
Paleolithicadjective: Relating to the Old Stone Age, the earliest and longest period of human prehistory, marked by chipped stone tools and, in its later phase, by the first cave paintings.
samurainoun: A member of the warrior class of feudal Japan, bound by codes of loyalty and honour, who served under the shogunate system. In the article, the samurai class is one of the two groups with access to Noh theatre.
Alchemistnoun: A practitioner of alchemy, seeking to transmute base metals into noble elements and discover a universal cure.
amphitheatrenoun: An oval or circular open-air venue with tiered seating used in the Roman world for gladiatorial contests, beast hunts, and public executions.
aqueductnoun: An engineered conduit or bridge designed to convey water from distant freshwater springs into urban centers using gravity flow.
baronnoun: A member of the aristocracy, or an influential magnate exercising commanding power in a specific industry.
Chivalrynoun: The medieval knightly code of conduct demanding honor, valor, courtesy, loyalty, and Christian devotion.
cinnamonnoun: An aromatic spice obtained from the stripped inner bark of several tree species of the genus Cinnamomum.
declamationnoun: The formal rhetorical exercise of delivering prepared speeches on hypothetical legal cases or historical dilemmas in classical Roman academies.

Also from these editions: terms

Agoranoun: A public open space in ancient Greek cities used for assemblies, commercial markets, and philosophical dialogue.
Bailoutnoun: An emergency provision of financial assistance to a failing company, bank, or economy to prevent insolvency.
Deflationaryadjective: Tending to cause or associated with a general and persistent decline in price levels across an economy.
Emporoinoun: Ancient Greek merchants or maritime traders who carried goods between different city-states and overseas ports.
Ephemeraladjective: Lasting for only a very brief period of time; fleeting, transitory, or impermanent in nature.
Eruditeadjective: Characterized by great knowledge, extensive learning, and scholarly cultivation across diverse disciplines.
Himationnoun: An outer garment consisting of a large rectangular mantle draped over the body, worn in ancient Greece.
Hydrianoun: An ancient Greek ceramic water vessel featuring three handles, used for carrying and pouring fresh water.
Oratorynoun: The formal skill, art, or practice of public speaking with eloquence, clarity, and persuasive power.
Stagnationnoun: A state of inactivity, sluggishness, or lack of growth in an economy or commercial system.
Volatilitynoun: The liability to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially in the market price of an asset or security.