Plaid

Pronunciation

• Scotland IPA: /pled/, /plad/
• UK IPA: /plæd/
• US IPA: /plæd/
• Rhymes: -æd

From Scots plaid, of uncertain origin; perhaps from a past participle form of ply. Scottish Gaelic plaide ("blanket") is probably a borrowing from Scots.

Full definition of plaid

Noun

1. A type of twilled woollen cloth, often with a tartan or chequered pattern. from 16th c.
2. A length of such material used as a piece of clothing, formerly worn in the Scottish Highlands and other parts of northern Britain and remaining as an item of ceremonial dress worn by members of Scottish pipe bands. from 16th c.
• 2009, John Sadler, Glencoe, Amberley 2009, p. 47:In battle, the plaid was customarily shrugged off before the charge bit home, and the warrior came into contact with only his long, saffron shirt (‘leine chrochach’) to preserve modesty.
3. The typical chequered pattern of a plaid; tartan. from 19th c.

Adjective

1. Having a pattern or colors which resemble a Scottish tartan; checkered or marked with bars or stripes at right angles to one another.

Alternative forms.

Verb

1. (archaic)

   plaid

   (past of play)
• 1774, Dr Samuel Johnson, Preface to the Works of the English Poets, J. Nichols, Volume II, Page 134,"...then plaid on the organ, and sung..."