cataract
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
Once a black satin scarf arranged for the display of jewellery, much in vogue among "commercial gents." Now quite out of date.
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “cataract” mean?
Once a black satin scarf arranged for the display of jewellery, much in vogue among "commercial gents." Now quite out of date.
Is “cataract” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.