corselet
/'kɔ:slit/ Cách viết khác : (corselet) /'kɔ:slit/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A piece of body armor for the torso: A corselet is a type of armor designed to protect the trunk of the body, typically consisting of a breastplate and a back piece that are fastened together. 2. A similar protective or supportive garment: In broader contexts, it can refer to a tight-fitting undergarment or foundation garment that shapes and supports the torso.
Examples
- Historical Armor:
- The knight's corselet was polished to a brilliant shine before the tournament.
- Archaeologists discovered a well-preserved iron corselet in the ancient tomb.
- Supportive Garment:
- In the 19th century, women often wore a corselet beneath their dresses for posture and silhouette.
Advanced Usage
- Zoology: In entomology, 'corselet' can refer to the corium or the leathery front part of the forewing in certain insects, though this is a highly specialized usage.
- The beetle's corselet provides a protective casing for its flight wings.
Variants and Related Words
- Corslet: An alternative spelling for 'corselet', especially in historical texts referring to armor.
- Corset: A closely related term for a tight-fitting undergarment worn to shape the torso. While a 'corset' is specifically for shaping, a 'corselet' in modern usage often implies a combination of a bra and girdle, or an armored piece.
Synonyms
- Cuirass: A piece of armor consisting of a breastplate and backplate, essentially synonymous with the armored meaning of corselet.
- Body armor: General term for protective gear for the torso.
- Foundation garment: General term for shaping undergarments.
Notes on Meaning
The primary and most common meaning of 'corselet' is the piece of historical body armor. The meaning related to undergarments is a later, figurative extension based on the idea of a garment that encases the torso. The zoological usage is rare and technical.
Noun
- a piece of body armor for the trunk; usually consists of a breastplate and back piece