MILLINER  , originally a dealer in goods from the

city of Milan in Italy, whence the name . Such goods were chiefly steel work, including cutlery, needles, also arms and armour and textile fabrics, ribbons, gloves and " Milan bonnets." The " milliners " of London, though never formed into a Livery Company seem to have been associated with the " Cappers and Hurers," which later were amalgamated with the " Haber-dashers " (q.v.) . Minsheu's derivation of the word from milk, thousand (" as having a thousand small wares to sell "), though a typical instance of guessing etymologies, shows the miscellaneous character of their trade in, the 16th and 17th centuries . The modern use of the word is confined chiefly to one who makes and sells bonnets and hats for women; but articles of "millinery" include ribbons, laces, &c., usually retailed by haberdashers .