1857
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
78th
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MEN WHO WORE SKIRTS That was what the rebels called the 78th,--"the men who wore skirts."
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Now, Highland regiments had fought in India for many a year before the Mutiny, and the kilt was no new thing in native eyes.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
Allahabad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It crystallizes the legend that went round--that an army of savage English was marching from Allahabad, and that its most ferocious corps was dressed in skirts, the men having sworn never to assume male clothing until they had avenged their murdered women-folk.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It crystallizes the legend that went round--that an army of savage English was marching from Allahabad, and that its most ferocious corps was dressed in skirts, the men having sworn never to assume male clothing until they had avenged their murdered women-folk.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Now, Highland regiments had fought in India for many a year before the Mutiny, and the kilt was no new thing in native eyes.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading It crystallizes the legend that went round--that an army of savage English was marching from Allahabad, and that its most ferocious corps was dressed in skirts, the men having sworn never to assume male clothing until they had avenged their murdered women-folk.
assumeverbUS /əˈsuːm/
take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof
From this reading It crystallizes the legend that went round--that an army of savage English was marching from Allahabad, and that its most ferocious corps was dressed in skirts, the men having sworn never to assume male clothing until they had avenged their murdered women-folk.
the season when the leaves fall from the trees
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
avengedadjectiveUS /əˈvendʒd/
for which vengeance has been taken
From this reading It crystallizes the legend that went round--that an army of savage English was marching from Allahabad, and that its most ferocious corps was dressed in skirts, the men having sworn never to assume male clothing until they had avenged their murdered women-folk.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Now, Highland regiments had fought in India for many a year before the Mutiny, and the kilt was no new thing in native eyes.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
the people of Great Britain
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading THE MEN WHO WORE SKIRTS That was what the rebels called the 78th,--"the men who wore skirts."
clothingnounUS /ˈkloʊðɪŋ/
a covering designed to be worn on a person's body
From this reading It crystallizes the legend that went round--that an army of savage English was marching from Allahabad, and that its most ferocious corps was dressed in skirts, the men having sworn never to assume male clothing until they had avenged their murdered women-folk.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
corpsnounUS /kɔːr/
an army unit usually consisting of two or more divisions and their support
From this reading It crystallizes the legend that went round--that an army of savage English was marching from Allahabad, and that its most ferocious corps was dressed in skirts, the men having sworn never to assume male clothing until they had avenged their murdered women-folk.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
crystallizesverbUS /ˈkrɪstəlaɪzɪz/
third-person singular of “crystallize” — cause to take on a definite and clear shape
From this reading It crystallizes the legend that went round--that an army of savage English was marching from Allahabad, and that its most ferocious corps was dressed in skirts, the men having sworn never to assume male clothing until they had avenged their murdered women-folk.
dreadedadjectiveUS /ˈdredɪd/
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading It crystallizes the legend that went round--that an army of savage English was marching from Allahabad, and that its most ferocious corps was dressed in skirts, the men having sworn never to assume male clothing until they had avenged their murdered women-folk.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading It crystallizes the legend that went round--that an army of savage English was marching from Allahabad, and that its most ferocious corps was dressed in skirts, the men having sworn never to assume male clothing until they had avenged their murdered women-folk.
excessesnounUS /ˌekˈsesɪz/
plural of “excess” — a quantity much larger than is needed
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Now, Highland regiments had fought in India for many a year before the Mutiny, and the kilt was no new thing in native eyes.
ferociousadjectiveUS /fərˈoʊʃəs/
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading It crystallizes the legend that went round--that an army of savage English was marching from Allahabad, and that its most ferocious corps was dressed in skirts, the men having sworn never to assume male clothing until they had avenged their murdered women-folk.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Now, Highland regiments had fought in India for many a year before the Mutiny, and the kilt was no new thing in native eyes.
inflected form of “fight” — be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading Now, Highland regiments had fought in India for many a year before the Mutiny, and the kilt was no new thing in native eyes.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It crystallizes the legend that went round--that an army of savage English was marching from Allahabad, and that its most ferocious corps was dressed in skirts, the men having sworn never to assume male clothing until they had avenged their murdered women-folk.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
garbnounUS /ɡɑːrb/
clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
GaulnounUS /ɡɔːl/
a person of French descent
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Now, Highland regiments had fought in India for many a year before the Mutiny, and the kilt was no new thing in native eyes.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading It crystallizes the legend that went round--that an army of savage English was marching from Allahabad, and that its most ferocious corps was dressed in skirts, the men having sworn never to assume male clothing until they had avenged their murdered women-folk.
helpersnounUS /ˈhelpərz/
plural of “helper” — a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
HighlandnounUS /ˈhaɪlənd/
elevated (e.g., mountainous) land
From this reading Now, Highland regiments had fought in India for many a year before the Mutiny, and the kilt was no new thing in native eyes.
the quality of being humane
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Now, Highland regiments had fought in India for many a year before the Mutiny, and the kilt was no new thing in native eyes.
a republic in the Asian subcontinent in southern Asia; second most populous country in the world; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1947
From this reading Now, Highland regiments had fought in India for many a year before the Mutiny, and the kilt was no new thing in native eyes.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The phrase, therefore, is significant.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It crystallizes the legend that went round--that an army of savage English was marching from Allahabad, and that its most ferocious corps was dressed in skirts, the men having sworn never to assume male clothing until they had avenged their murdered women-folk.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It crystallizes the legend that went round--that an army of savage English was marching from Allahabad, and that its most ferocious corps was dressed in skirts, the men having sworn never to assume male clothing until they had avenged their murdered women-folk.
kiltnounUS /kɪlt/
a knee-length pleated tartan skirt worn by men as part of the traditional dress in the Highlands of northern Scotland
From this reading Now, Highland regiments had fought in India for many a year before the Mutiny, and the kilt was no new thing in native eyes.
the first of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures comprising the first five books of the Hebrew Bible considered as a unit
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
legendnounUS /ˈledʒənd/
a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events
From this reading It crystallizes the legend that went round--that an army of savage English was marching from Allahabad, and that its most ferocious corps was dressed in skirts, the men having sworn never to assume male clothing until they had avenged their murdered women-folk.
malenounUS /meɪl/
an animal that produces gametes (spermatozoa) that can fertilize female gametes
From this reading It crystallizes the legend that went round--that an army of savage English was marching from Allahabad, and that its most ferocious corps was dressed in skirts, the men having sworn never to assume male clothing until they had avenged their murdered women-folk.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Now, Highland regiments had fought in India for many a year before the Mutiny, and the kilt was no new thing in native eyes.
marchingnounUS /ˈmɑːrtʃɪŋ/
the act of marching; walking with regular steps (especially in a procession of some kind)
From this reading It crystallizes the legend that went round--that an army of savage English was marching from Allahabad, and that its most ferocious corps was dressed in skirts, the men having sworn never to assume male clothing until they had avenged their murdered women-folk.
the force of workers available
From this reading THE MEN WHO WORE SKIRTS That was what the rebels called the 78th,--"the men who wore skirts."
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
used to form the superlative
From this reading It crystallizes the legend that went round--that an army of savage English was marching from Allahabad, and that its most ferocious corps was dressed in skirts, the men having sworn never to assume male clothing until they had avenged their murdered women-folk.
murderedadjectiveUS /ˈmɜːrdərd/
killed unlawfully
From this reading It crystallizes the legend that went round--that an army of savage English was marching from Allahabad, and that its most ferocious corps was dressed in skirts, the men having sworn never to assume male clothing until they had avenged their murdered women-folk.
MutinynounUS /ˈmjuːtəni/
open rebellion against constituted authority (especially by seamen or soldiers against their officers)
From this reading Now, Highland regiments had fought in India for many a year before the Mutiny, and the kilt was no new thing in native eyes.
characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin
From this reading Now, Highland regiments had fought in India for many a year before the Mutiny, and the kilt was no new thing in native eyes.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading It crystallizes the legend that went round--that an army of savage English was marching from Allahabad, and that its most ferocious corps was dressed in skirts, the men having sworn never to assume male clothing until they had avenged their murdered women-folk.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Now, Highland regiments had fought in India for many a year before the Mutiny, and the kilt was no new thing in native eyes.
not any; not one
From this reading Now, Highland regiments had fought in India for many a year before the Mutiny, and the kilt was no new thing in native eyes.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now, Highland regiments had fought in India for many a year before the Mutiny, and the kilt was no new thing in native eyes.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It crystallizes the legend that went round--that an army of savage English was marching from Allahabad, and that its most ferocious corps was dressed in skirts, the men having sworn never to assume male clothing until they had avenged their murdered women-folk.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
outragedadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtreɪdʒd/
angered at something unjust or wrong
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
phrasenounUS /freɪz/
an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence
From this reading The phrase, therefore, is significant.
any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
rebelsnounUS /ˈrebəlz/
plural of “rebel” — “Johnny” was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; “greyback” derived from their grey Confederate uniforms
From this reading THE MEN WHO WORE SKIRTS That was what the rebels called the 78th,--"the men who wore skirts."
regimentsnounUS /ˈredʒəmənts/
plural of “regiment” — army unit smaller than a division
From this reading Now, Highland regiments had fought in India for many a year before the Mutiny, and the kilt was no new thing in native eyes.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading It crystallizes the legend that went round--that an army of savage English was marching from Allahabad, and that its most ferocious corps was dressed in skirts, the men having sworn never to assume male clothing until they had avenged their murdered women-folk.
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading It crystallizes the legend that went round--that an army of savage English was marching from Allahabad, and that its most ferocious corps was dressed in skirts, the men having sworn never to assume male clothing until they had avenged their murdered women-folk.
sepoys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
significantadjectiveUS /səɡˈnɪfɪkənt/
important in effect or meaning
From this reading The phrase, therefore, is significant.
SKIRTSnounUS /skɜːrts/
plural of “skirt” — cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading THE MEN WHO WORE SKIRTS That was what the rebels called the 78th,--"the men who wore skirts."
swornadjectiveUS /swɔːrn/
bound by or as if by an oath
From this reading It crystallizes the legend that went round--that an army of savage English was marching from Allahabad, and that its most ferocious corps was dressed in skirts, the men having sworn never to assume male clothing until they had avenged their murdered women-folk.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE MEN WHO WORE SKIRTS That was what the rebels called the 78th,--"the men who wore skirts."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MEN WHO WORE SKIRTS That was what the rebels called the 78th,--"the men who wore skirts."
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It crystallizes the legend that went round--that an army of savage English was marching from Allahabad, and that its most ferocious corps was dressed in skirts, the men having sworn never to assume male clothing until they had avenged their murdered women-folk.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading The phrase, therefore, is significant.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It crystallizes the legend that went round--that an army of savage English was marching from Allahabad, and that its most ferocious corps was dressed in skirts, the men having sworn never to assume male clothing until they had avenged their murdered women-folk.
a special situation
From this reading Now, Highland regiments had fought in India for many a year before the Mutiny, and the kilt was no new thing in native eyes.
in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It crystallizes the legend that went round--that an army of savage English was marching from Allahabad, and that its most ferocious corps was dressed in skirts, the men having sworn never to assume male clothing until they had avenged their murdered women-folk.
always the same; showing a single form or character in all occurrences
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading It crystallizes the legend that went round--that an army of savage English was marching from Allahabad, and that its most ferocious corps was dressed in skirts, the men having sworn never to assume male clothing until they had avenged their murdered women-folk.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE MEN WHO WORE SKIRTS That was what the rebels called the 78th,--"the men who wore skirts."
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading It crystallizes the legend that went round--that an army of savage English was marching from Allahabad, and that its most ferocious corps was dressed in skirts, the men having sworn never to assume male clothing until they had avenged their murdered women-folk.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading THE MEN WHO WORE SKIRTS That was what the rebels called the 78th,--"the men who wore skirts."
which person or people
From this reading THE MEN WHO WORE SKIRTS That was what the rebels called the 78th,--"the men who wore skirts."
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading There could be no better proof that the sepoys and their helpers were well aware that they had outraged all the laws of war and humanity by their excesses, and there was a further reason why the garb of old Gaul was more dreaded throughout India than any other British uniform during the autumn and cold weather of 1857.
women-folk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It crystallizes the legend that went round--that an army of savage English was marching from Allahabad, and that its most ferocious corps was dressed in skirts, the men having sworn never to assume male clothing until they had avenged their murdered women-folk.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading THE MEN WHO WORE SKIRTS That was what the rebels called the 78th,--"the men who wore skirts."
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading Now, Highland regiments had fought in India for many a year before the Mutiny, and the kilt was no new thing in native eyes.
