Definition

1. Noun:
   • The part of a woman's dress that covers the body from the neck to the waist: A bodice is the fitted upper section of a dress, gown, or similar garment, typically extending from the shoulders to the waistline. Historically, it was often a separate, tightly laced garment worn over a blouse or chemise.

Usage

• The term "bodice" specifically refers to the structured upper part of a woman's garment. It is not used for men's clothing or for simple shirts. It often implies a garment that is fitted, boned, or decorated, distinguishing it from the skirt portion of a dress.
• Example:
• Example:

Advanced Usage

• "Bodice ripper": A colloquial and sometimes pejorative term for a genre of historical romance novel known for dramatic, passionate scenes, often metaphorically involving the tearing of a heroine's bodice.
  • She enjoys reading bodice rippers set in the Regency era.

Variants and Related Words

• Bodiced (adj): Describing a garment that has or is fitted with a bodice.
  • She wore a bodiced jacket over her dress.

Synonyms

• Corsage: (Archaic) Can refer to the bodice of a dress.
• Waist: In historical clothing contexts, sometimes used to refer to the bodice section.

Notes on Meaning

• The primary and most common meaning is the fitted upper part of a dress. While historically it could be a separate undergarment (like a stays or corset), in modern usage it almost exclusively refers to the visible, integral top part of a dress or outer garment. The reference to "áo lót" (underwear) in some dictionaries reflects an older or more specific historical usage.

Noun

1. part of a dress above the waist