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Fashion

Mirliton hat comparison

mirliton

A mirliton can be a small reed or cardboard instrument whose membrane vibrates with the voice; it can also name a visorless military cap wrapped with a spiral band of cloth.

From the book

The Gods Are Athirst

Anatole France · Diotimos Editions · 2026

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Meaning

Lemma.

A mirliton can be a small reed or cardboard instrument whose membrane vibrates with the voice; it can also name a visorless military cap wrapped with a spiral band of cloth. These senses are distinguished in the Académie dictionary. Here Rochemaure’s hat is compared to a mirliton for its profusion of ribbons, but the sentence does not conclusively identify the model intended. The English retains the French word. Its local visual effect is clear: ribbons join plumes, powder, patches and perfume in an appearance of conspicuous fashion and hurried living amid danger.

Places to read

  1. Chapter VII, paragraph 3Frenchenrubanné comme un mirliton: Ribboned like a mirliton. The comparison describes the ornament of Rochemaure’s hat.