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 actress and advocate wore a brown column dress with a halter neckline and subtle cutout on the bodice of the dress. —

Julia Teti, WWD, 4 Nov. 2024 The midi gown also featured ruching details around the waist and bodice. —

Chiara Kim, People.com, 3 Nov. 2024 Unlike its frumpy counterparts, the body-skimming dress adds intrigue with its ruched bodice, puff sleeves, open back, and side slit. —

Emily Belfiore, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2024 The blouse’s long sleeves and bodice panels featured sheer detailing. —

Julia Teti, WWD, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bodice