garment
UK[ˈɡɑːmənt]US[ˈɡɑːrmənt]
n
An item of clothing
Etymology
The word 'garment' entered English from Old French in the Middle English period, originally carrying the broader sense of 'equipment' or 'adornment'. Its source, the verb 'garnir', meant to furnish or prepare, a meaning preserved in the related English word 'garnish'. Over time in English, the term narrowed specifically to denote articles of clothing, the equipment or adornment for the body. This semantic shift reflects a common pattern where a general term for equipment becomes specialized for a specific, common type of furnishing.
Analysis
The word is a simplex. It derives from the Old French 'garment' or 'garnement', meaning 'equipment, adornment', which itself comes from 'garnir' (to equip, adorn).
Examples
The factory specializes in the manufacture of waterproof garments.
She folded each garment carefully before packing it in the suitcase.
This new fabric is designed for high-performance athletic garments.