[f. as prec. + -LET.]
1. a. (See quot.)
1847. Webster, Wristlet, an elastic band worn by ladies around the wrist, to confine the upper part of a glove. [Hence in some later Dicts.]
b. A bracelet; = WRISTBAND 2.
1851. Catal. Gt. Exhib., 862. Articles for the Modea, Djedda, and Mecca Markets:… Armlets and wristlets.
1863. Speke, Discov. Nile, viii. 203. The king … wore, for ornament, neatly-worked wristlets of copper.
1889. Daily News, 8 June, 5/4. The poor little creature … had been decorated with a pair of silver wristlets.
c. A handcuff, a wrist-iron.
1881. Daily Tel., 31 Dec., 6/1. Two or three of the party wearing black dresses instead of grey, with leg irons as well as wristlets, to show that they were bad-conduct men and need sharp looking after.
1901. Daily News, 1 Feb., 7/5. The illegal use … of belts, anklets, and wristlets, in restraining violent lunatics.
d. A small strap for wearing on the wrist. Also attrib.
1891. Times, 16 Oct., 4/6. Blue gauntlet gloves, and watch in wristlet. Ibid. (1914), 24 Aug., 9/4. Sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour for stealing a wristlet watch … from a dressing-box at the baths.
2. An ornamental band or covering for the wrist.
1851. Illustr. Lond. News, 19 July, 86/1. Wrought muslin wristlets about two inches in width.
1861. T. B. Aldrich, Pampina, Poems (1875), 90. A siren lithe … With wristlets woven of scarlet weeds.
b. A muffetee. Cf. WRISTBAND 1 b, WRISTER.
1869. Eng. Mechanic, 26 Nov., 264/1. Wristlets, muffs, collarettes,… in different patterns,… are knitted on the LK knitter.
1888. Century Mag., XXXVI. 771/1. Knitted gloves, suspenders, comforters, wristlets.
