leg-of-mutton

leg-of-mut·ton

(lĕg′ə-mŭt′n, lĕg′əv-) or leg-o'-mut·ton (lĕg′ə-)

adj.

Resembling a leg of mutton in shape; tapering sharply from one large end to a point or smaller end, as a sleeve or sail.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

leg-of-mutton

leg-o'-mutton

(Clothing & Fashion) (modifier) (of a sail, sleeve, etc) tapering sharply or having a triangular profile

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

leg′-of-mut′ton

or leg′-o'-mut′ton,

adj.

1. having the triangular shape of a leg of mutton: a leg-of-mutton sail.

2. (of the sleeve of a dress or blouse) full and puffed from shoulder to elbow and then tightly fitted from elbow to wrist.

[1830–40]

Mentioned in ?

References in classic literature ?

Then I removed the sprit, tightly hauling down the peak of the sail, and we raced along under what sailors call a leg-of-mutton.

View in context

Think pretty Poet's sleeves, billowing bishop's sleeves and gigot sleeves (also called the leg-of-mutton sleeve).

It's big, bold and beautiful; Take a flutter on the statement sleeve; Style on Sunday

That commanding pinstripe was seen on chiffon leg-of-mutton sleeves on slim fitting, buttoned-up dresses trailing untied pussy bows, or in wool in a feminine take on the three piece suit.

tabloid! at NYFW: DvF's high level seduction

Among the garments from the late 1800's and early 1900's is an off-white satin print dress with trim and bows and "leg-of-mutton" sleeves.

Apparel tells family's story; Historic clothing, photo exhibit evokes another era

The painting displays a subtle richness of color in the iridescent salmon-hued leg-of-mutton sleeve of the mother's dress and the delicate fabric clothing of the auburn-haired baby.

Sexual health in art and science

Designer Icarius makes bold statement with golden yellow and white jacket with leg-of-mutton sleeves and one oversized lapel, worn over yellow blouse and matching bikini shorts.

Soft silhouettes ... bold colors. (French Fashions For Spring & Summer)

LET ME START OUT BY NAILING MY colours to the mast: I'm a lapstrake dory man; leg-of-mutton sail, centreboard and protected waters, Whenever the swell gets above about a half-metre, I'm in the club reading CS Forester or Patrick O'Brian.

Ben Canaider claims it's the wine talking. (Wine)

His is an Anglicized, leg-of-mutton realism, not unlike that of Stanley Spencer: the nude is reduced to edible (if still Oedipal) plain food.