bodice
/ˈbɒdɪs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbɑːdɪs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈbä-dəs/ (ame, mw)
bodice — noun
- bodicesingular
- bodicesplural
1. the close-fitting section on a woman's dress that covers the chest and reaches t
the close-fitting section on a woman's dress that covers the chest and reaches the waist
The tailor pinned lace along the bodice before sewing the skirt.
bodice contrasted with skirt in dressmaking
Camila chose a dress with a beaded bodice and plain white sleeves.
collocation: beaded bodice
The red wine stain spread across the bodice during the wedding dinner.
A hidden zip runs down the back of the bodice.
- top
much broader; can mean any upper garment, not specifically part of a dress
- upper section
neutral descriptive phrase often used when the technical clothing term is unknown
用法筆記
Used for the upper part of a dress, not for the whole garment. In sewing or fashion talk, it is often contrasted with the skirt, sleeves, or neckline.
常見錯誤
2. a close-fitting undergarment worn by women in earlier times to support and shape
a close-fitting undergarment worn by women in earlier times to support and shape the chest and waist
The museum displayed a silk bodice beside a long wool skirt.
historical clothing item in a museum display
Actors wore stiff bodices under their costumes in the period drama.
plural: bodices; worn under outer clothes
The old bodice was laced so tightly that Marta could barely breathe.
A costume maker copied the bodice from a portrait in the old gallery.
用法筆記
This is a historical clothing term and usually refers to underwear worn under a dress. Distinguish from sense 1: here the bodice shapes the body, rather than simply naming the top part of the dress itself.