bodice

noun

bod·ice ˈbä-dəs

: the upper part of a woman's dress

archaic : corset, stays

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The Fashionable History of Bodice

The term bodice is derived from body. One sense of the word body is “the part of a garment covering the body or trunk.” In the 17th and 18th centuries a woman’s corset was often called a “pair of bodies.” The plural bodies, or bodice, was eventually interpreted as a singular. Bodice is now most often used to refer to the upper part of a woman’s dress.

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Examples of bodice in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The gown featured a halter neckline, which opened up into a completely open bodice, showcasing her toned abs. —

Lori A Bashian Fox News, Fox News, 28 Dec. 2024 With filming on Season 4 of Bridgerton underway, the cast of the Netflix series, new and original, reunited for a table read and some behind-the-scenes photos out of their bodices and tailcoats. —

Glenn Garner, Deadline, 26 Dec. 2024 It was crafted out of a heavyweight wool-crepe with a trio of buttons running down the front of bodice. —

Talia Abbas, Vogue, 25 Dec. 2024 The baby pink adds a subtle pop of color, while the corset bodice is so slimming. —

Kat Romero, Rolling Stone, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bodice