waistcoat
Meaning
a close-fitting garment for the upper body, typically sleeveless and worn over a shirt and under a jacket, as part of a man's suit.
a similar garment worn by women.
Structure
Usage
he wore a tailored waistcoat under his suit jacket.
the silk waistcoat added a touch of formality to his attire.
she accessorized her outfit with a vintage brocade waistcoat.
Etymology
The word 'waistcoat' is a compound formed from the English words 'waist' and 'coat'. Its logic is literal, describing a garment that originally covered the waist and upper body. Historically, in the 16th and 17th centuries, it was a longer, padded garment worn under an outer coat for warmth. Over time, it evolved into the shorter, more decorative sleeveless garment that became a standard component of the three-piece suit, retaining the name that references its original coverage of the torso's midsection.
Analysis
- waist: from middle english 'wast', of germanic origin; refers to the middle part of the body. - coat: from old french 'cote', of germanic origin; refers to an outer garment.