corset
KOR-sit
/ˈkɔːr.sət/
A tightly fitting undergarment or top reinforced with boning, worn to shape and support the waist and torso.
Implies structural boning and lacing engineered to contour or compress the waistline.
The story behind the word. Derived from the Old French diminutive 'corset', meaning 'little body', from Latin 'corpus'. Originally describing a padded body armor tunic, by the 16th century it referred to stiff shaping undergarments used in women's fashion.
Word relationships
- girdle: 'Girdle' usually refers to elastic waist-shaping undergarments, while 'corset' implies heavy structural boning and lacing.
- tunic: A loose garment that hangs freely without waist compression.
Commonly confused with
- bodice: A 'corset' is a shaping structure with boning, while a 'bodice' is simply the upper portion of a dress structure.
Word family
- corsetry (noun): The art or trade of making corsets
- corseted (adjective): Wearing or bound by a corset
Collocations
- laced corset
- corset top
- satin corset
- tighten a corset
Example sentences
- "Victorian women wore tightly laced corsets to achieve an exaggerated waistline silhouette." Fashion History
- "The gown featured a modern satin corset top with visible structural boning." Modern Couture
Memory hook
A CORSET shapes the CORE of your body. Core-shaping garment.
When not to use
Do not confuse with loose undershirts, casual camisoles, or unstructured tops.
Fun facts
- Victorian corsets were sometimes laced so tight that fainting couches were installed in parlors for lightheaded ladies.
Related words
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