nylon stocking
Noun: A sheer, close-fitting garment for a woman's foot and leg, typically made from a synthetic material like nylon, but also historically from rayon or silk. It is designed to cover the leg from the toe to the upper thigh, often held up by a garter belt or containing elastic.
This term refers specifically to the legwear item. It is a compound noun where "nylon" specifies the primary material. * She bought a new pair of nylon stockings for the formal event. * Before the invention of pantyhose, nylon stockings were essential women's attire.
- The term can be used metonymically to refer to a sophisticated or formal style of dress.
- The job required a suit and nylon stockings.
- Often shortened colloquially to "nylons."
- She ripped her nylons on the edge of the desk.
- Stocking (n): The general term for this type of leg garment, which can be made from various materials.
- Pantyhose (n): A modern, one-piece garment that combines panties and stockings, making garters unnecessary.
- Tights (n): A similar, but usually opaque and thicker, leg garment.
- Hosiery (n): The collective term for stockings, socks, and tights.
- Hose (archaic/general)
- Sheer stockings
While "nylon" is in the name, the term can refer to stockings made from similar sheer synthetic materials like rayon. The defining characteristic is the sheer, formal style of the legwear, not exclusively the material.
- women's stockings made from a sheer material (nylon or rayon or silk)