From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Pantaloon \Pan`ta*loon"\, n. [F. pantalon, fr. It. pantalone, a
masked character in the Italian comedy, who wore breeches and
stockings that were all of one piece, from Pantaleone, the
patron saint of Venice, which, as a baptismal name, is very
frequent among the Venetians, and is applied to them by the
other Italians as a nickname, fr. Gr. Pantale`wn, lit., all
lion, a Greek personal name.]
1. A ridiculous character, or an old dotard, in the Italian
comedy; also, a buffoon in pantomimes. --Addison.
[1913 Webster]
The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slippered pantaloon. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
2. pl. A bifurcated garment for a man, covering the body from
the waist downwards, and consisting of breeches and
stockings in one.
[1913 Webster]
3. pl. In recent times, a loose-fitting variety of
{Trousers}, often of less than ankle length.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
Pantaloon
n 1: a buffoon in modern pantomimes; the butt of jokes
2: a character in the commedia dell'arte; portrayed as a foolish
old man
3: trousers worn in former times
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