kilt

Where does the word "kilt" come from? It comes from Old Norse kilte, and was adopted directly into English (1500s).

Kilt’s story begins in Old Norse: kilte meant “to tuck up.” The Highland 'feileadh mòr', great kilt, was one large belted plaid; the short kilt dates from the 1700s. It reached English by 1500s as kilt. Settled as the English word for the pleated tartan garment of Scottish dress. Today, kilt means a knee-length pleated garment, traditionally worn by Scottish men.

1. Stage 1 · Old Norse · medieval kilte "to tuck up", the Highland 'feileadh mòr', great kilt, was one large belted plaid; the short kilt dates from the 1700s.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1500s kilt "a pleated tartan garment worn around the waist", settled as the English word for the pleated tartan garment of Scottish dress.