Pan`ta*loon" (?), n. [F. pantalon, fr. It. pantalone, a masked character in the Italian comedy, who wore breeches and stockings that were all of one piece, from Pantaleone, the patron saint of Venice, which, as a baptismal name, is very frequent among the Venetians, and is applied to them by the other Italians as a nickname, fr. Gr. , lit., all lion, a Greek personal name.]
1.
A ridiculous character, or an old dotard, in the Italian comedy; also, a buffoon in pantomimes.
Addison.
The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slippered pantaloon.
Shak.
2. pl.
A bifurcated garment for a man, covering the body from the waist downwards, and consisting of breeches and stockings in one.
3. pl.
In recent times, same as Trousers.
© Webster 1913.