Definition

1. Noun:
   • A woman's close-fitting foundation garment: "Stays" refers to a rigid, structured undergarment, historically made with bone or metal strips, designed to shape and support the torso, particularly the waist and bust. It is a precursor to the modern corset.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The historical costume required the actress to wear stays under her gown.
  • In the 18th century, women's fashion often depended on the silhouette created by stays.

Advanced Usage

• "To be in stays" (Nautical): This is a distinct, unrelated idiom from sailing, meaning a ship is in the process of tacking (changing direction by turning its bow through the wind).
  • The schooner was caught in stays during the sudden squall.

Variants and Related Words

• Stay (verb): To remain in a place or condition. (e.g., )
• Stay (noun): A period of remaining in a place; a support or prop. (e.g., )
• Corset (noun): A more modern term for a similar close-fitting foundation garment.

Synonyms

• Corset: A closely related undergarment for shaping the torso.
• Foundation garment: A general term for shaping undergarments.
• Body (archaic): An old term for a stiffened underbodice.

Notes on Meaning

The word "stays" as a noun for a garment is now largely historical or used in costume contexts. The far more common modern uses of "stay" are as a verb (to remain) or as a noun referring to a support or a period of residence. These are considered separate lexical entries.

Noun

1. a woman's close-fitting foundation garment