stomacher

noun

stom·​ach·​er ˈstə-mi-kər 

-chər

: the center front section of a waist or underwaist or a usually heavily embroidered or jeweled separate piece for the center front of a bodice worn by men and women in the 15th and 16th centuries and later by women only

Examples of stomacher in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Court Jeweller reports that stomachers were all the rage at the turn of the twentieth century and were worn pinned to gown bodices. —Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 6 Dec. 2023

Queen Camilla also slipped on her own diamond earrings, a diamond bracelet from Queen Elizabeth’s collection and a more unusual ornament: a stomacher. —Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 6 Dec. 2023

Which means there had to be jewels—real and costume—created, sourced, and commissioned for suites, parures, and stomachers, to pin onto bodices and to sprinkle in hair. —Leena Kim, Town & Country, 12 May 2023

People were queuing to have their tiaras, which were like great fenders of diamonds, stomachers and necklaces cleaned. —Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 22 Apr. 2023

The princess's grandmother, Queen Mary, gifted her with even more jewels, including an antique diamond stomacher, diamond Indian bangle brooches and a pair of ruby earrings Mary had received from Elizabeth's father for her 59th birthday. —Nicole Briese, Peoplemag, 18 Sep. 2022

Her precious stomacher of diamonds was believed to have once been worn by Marie Antoinette. —Elizabeth Block, Town & Country, 8 Feb. 2022

The Duke had seven jewels commissioned for his niece from London jeweler C.S. Hancock—a bandeau, bracelet, coronet, diadem, necklace, stomacher, and comb. —Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, 8 July 2019

Other items in the collection include Dame Nellie Melba’s diamond stomacher brooch, Princess Grace of Monaco’s 10.48-carat diamond engagement ring, and Dame Elizabeth Taylor’s diamond and ruby necklace. —Dave Quinn, PEOPLE.com, 30 Mar. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

stomacher

noun

stom·​ach·​er ˈstəm-i-kər 

: the center front section of an upper part of a woman's dress appearing between the laces of an outer garment (as in 16th century costume)