shirtwaist
UK[ˈʃɜːtweɪst]US[ˈʃɜːrtweɪst]
n
a woman's tailored blouse or bodice, typically buttoning down the front, resembling a man's shirt.
n
(historical) a style of women's dress from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, combining a bodice styled like a shirt with a separate skirt.
Morpheme Breakdown
shirt
waist
shirt
waist
Etymology
the compound word "shirtwaist" is a transparent english formation from the old english roots "scyrte" (a short garment, later a shirt) and "wæstm" (growth, size, later the narrowest part of the torso). it emerged in the late 19th century during a period of dress reform, when women's fashion began incorporating elements of practical menswear. the term literally describes a woman's bodice or blouse that is cut and styled like a man's shirt ("shirt") and is fitted at the midsection ("waist"). this garment symbolized a shift towards greater freedom and functionality in women's clothing, with its name directly reflecting its hybrid design logic.
Analysis
Structure: shirt + waist
shirt (old english, functional role: base noun, denoting an upper-body garment)
waist (old english, functional role: base noun, denoting the part of the body between the ribs and hips)
Examples
she wore a crisp linen shirtwaist with a high collar and puffed sleeves.
the gibson girl was often depicted in a fashionable shirtwaist and a long, flowing skirt.
the 1911 triangle shirtwaist factory fire was a pivotal event in the history of labor rights and workplace safety.