pilch

English

Etymology

From Anglo-Saxon pylce, pylece, Latin pellicia. See pelisse, and pelt (skin).

Noun

pilch (plural pilches)

  1. (obsolete) A gown or case of skin, or one trimmed or lined with fur.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Shakespeare to this entry?)
  2. (archaic) a covering put over an infant's diaper to prevent outer clothes from getting wet
    • 1884, Sophia Jex- Blake, The Care of Infants: A Manual for Mothers and Nurses, Macmillan (1884), page 6:
      It used to be the fashion to put a second thick covering or "pilch" over the napkin to keep the outer clothes from wet; but this is by no means healthy, as it over-heats this part of the body, and is often a mere excuse for neglecting the frequent changes that should be made, so that the skin is apt to become sodden, and subsequently sore, from damp heat.
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