plaid

plaid · noun, adjective¹

1. Scots · borrowed fromplaid
2. English todayplaid

From Scots plaid, of uncertain origin; perhaps from a past participle form of ply. Scottish Gaelic plaide (“blanket”) is probably a borrowing from Scots. Also compare Scottish Gaelic peall (“covering, veil, blanket”) << Latin pellis (“hide, covering”), but the OED finds the sound changes problematic.

plaid · verb²

Alternative forms.

First known use, by meaning

• from 16ᵗʰc. A type of twilled woollen cloth, often with a tartan or chequered pattern.
• from 16ᵗʰc. 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 19ᵗʰc. The typical chequered pattern of a plaid; tartan.