leotard
UK[ˈliː.ə.tɑːd]US[ˈliː.ə.tɑːrd]
n
A tight-fitting, stretchy piece of clothing that covers the body from the neck to the thighs, worn especially for dancing, exercise, or performing.
Morpheme Breakdown
leotard
leotard
Etymology
The word is an eponym, derived entirely from the surname of the 19th-century French trapeze artist Jules Léotard, who popularized the garment. It entered English in the late 1800s, initially referring specifically to the one-piece garment he wore for his aerial performances. The term's logic is not compositional from smaller meaning units but is a direct borrowing that has generalized from its original association with acrobatics to encompass similar garments used in dance, gymnastics, and exercise.
Analysis
Structure: leotard
[Unsegmentable]
Examples
The dancers warmed up in simple black leotards and tights.
She pulled on a leotard before starting her gymnastics routine.
The costume designer chose a sequined leotard for the lead performer.