armhole
UK[ˈɑːm.həʊl]US[ˈɑːrm.hoʊl]
n
An opening in a piece of clothing through which the arm is put.
Morpheme Breakdown
arm
hole
arm
body part
hole
opening
Etymology
The word "armhole" is a straightforward compound noun formed from two native English words. "Arm," denoting the upper limb, has ancient roots in the concept of a joint or a part that fits together. "Hole," describing an opening or hollow space, originates from the idea of a concealed or covered void. When combined, these elements logically describe the functional opening in a garment designed for the arm to pass through. This transparent construction exemplifies how English creates precise, descriptive terms by joining simple, concrete concepts.
Analysis
Structure: arm (body part) + hole (opening)
- arm: From Old English earm, meaning the limb of the body. Its Proto-Indo-European root is ar-, meaning "to fit together," which also gave rise to words for joint and arm.
- hole: From Old English hol, meaning a hollow place, cavity, or opening. Its Proto-Germanic root is hul-, from the PIE root kel-, meaning "to cover, conceal," which is the source of hollow spaces.
Examples
The tailor carefully measured the armhole to ensure a comfortable fit.
This jacket is too tight under the arms because the armholes are cut too high.
She adjusted the pattern to lower the armhole for better mobility.