Pronunciation: [pˈɛɹɪwˌɪɡɪŋ] (IPA) 
Periwigging is spelled with the combination of the prefix "peri-" which means "around" and the base noun "wig". It means to wear or make use of a periwig, which is a type of wig that was popularly used in the past. The IPA phonetic transcription of periwigging is /pɛrɪˈwɪɡɪŋ/. This word is not commonly used in present-day English; however, it was once very popular and often used in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
Periwigging refers to the practice of wearing a periwig, which is an elaborate or artificial wig made of human or synthetic hair that covers the entire head. It is commonly used to emulate a different hairstyle or to hide baldness. The word "periwigging" itself can be used both as a noun and a verb.
As a noun, periwigging refers to the act or process of wearing a periwig. It has historically been associated with fashion, theatrical performances, and certain professions, such as judges or barristers who wear specific styles of periwig as part of their official attire. Periwigging can also be seen in historical reenactments and costume parties, where individuals recreate past eras by donning extravagant wigs.
As a verb, periwigging describes the action of putting on or wearing a periwig. People may choose to periwig themselves for an event, a performance, or purely for personal style preferences. The verb form can also imply the act of imitating or trying to emulate a certain historical or fictional character by adopting their iconic hairstyle through the use of a periwig.
Overall, periwigging is a term that encompasses both the wearing of periwigs and the process of putting them on. It is a practice that has evolved over centuries, carrying both fashion and functional significance, and can be observed in various cultural and historical contexts.
There is no direct etymology for the word "periwigging" as it is a portmanteau or a blend of the words "periwig" and "wigging". However, we can explore the etymology of the individual words:
1. Periwig: The word "periwig" originated from the French word "perruque" in the 16th century. "Perruque" came from the Italian word "perrucca" which meant a wig made of human or animal hair. It is derived from the Latin word "pilus" meaning "hair". Wigs were fashionable in the 16th-18th centuries, and the term "periwig" specifically referred to the full wigs worn by men during that time.
2. Wigging: The term "wigging" relates to the noun "wig", which is derived from "periwig".
