peplum

Meanings

1. A peplos, an Ancient Greek garment formed of a tubular piece of cloth folded back upon itself halfway down so that the top of the tube is worn around the waist, and the bottom covers the legs down to the ankles; the open top is then worn over the shoulders, and draped, in folds, down to the waist. Compare the Roman palla.
2. A kind of women's outer garment in ancient Greece; a veil.
3. A short overskirt cut in such a way that the sides form points.
4. A short overskirt attached to the waist of a garment; a basque.

1. A genre of Italian films based on historical or biblical epics.
2. An individual film in this genre.

Etymology

From Latin peplum, from Ancient Greek πέπλον (péplon), accusative singular of πέπλος (péplos).