subs. (common).—In pl. = (1) long-legged boots largely worn in the early part of the last century: they came well up the leg, high enough in front to cover the knee and to the bend of the knee behind. Also (2) shorter boots of similar pattern covering the calf of the leg, and worn (usually) under the trousers: cf. BLUCHER, ALBERT, GLADSTONE, etc. [A favourite campaigning foot-gear of the Duke of Wellington.]
d. 1821. KEATS, Modern Love.
| Till Miss’s comb is made a pearl tiara, | |
| And common WELLINGTONS turn Romeo boots. |
1821. COMBE, Dr Syntax, III. v.
| His gaiters, with dust cover’d o’er Were seen upon his legs no more, | |
| But when he rode his top-boots shone, Or hussar’d à la WELLINGTON. |
1884. YATES, Fifty Years of London Life, I. ii. No gentleman could wear anything in the daytime but WELLINGTON boots, high up the leg, over which the trousers fitted tightly, covering most of the foot, and secured underneath by a broad strap.
