miniskirt
Meaning
a very short skirt, typically one with the hemline well above the knees.
Structure
Usage
she wore a bright red miniskirt and a white blouse to the party.
the fashion designer is credited with popularizing the miniskirt in the 1960s.
the dress code does not allow miniskirts in the office.
Etymology
the word 'miniskirt' is a modern english compound, formed in the 1960s. the first element, 'mini-', is derived from the latin 'minimus' (smallest), which entered english as a prefix to denote a reduced or scaled-down version of something. the second element, 'skirt', originates from old norse 'skyrta', a term for a shirt or tunic, which evolved in middle english to specifically mean a woman's garment hanging from the waist. the compound thus logically and literally describes a 'small skirt', directly reflecting its defining characteristic of a shortened hemline compared to traditional skirts.
Analysis
- mini: from latin 'minimus', meaning 'smallest'. functions as a combining form denoting a small or miniature version. - skirt: from old norse 'skyrta', meaning 'shirt'. functions as the base noun denoting a garment hanging from the waist.