stomacher

[ stuhm-uh-ker ]

noun

1. a richly ornamented garment covering the stomach and chest, worn in the 15th and 16th centuries, and later worn under a bodice by women.

stomacher

/ ˈstʌməkə /

noun

1. a decorative V-shaped panel of stiff material worn over the chest and stomach by men and women in the 16th century, later only by women

Word History and Origins

Origin of stomacher¹

A late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; stomach, -er ¹

Example Sentences

There’s the feather-bedecked cavalier hat, the skull mask, the beads, rubies, buttons, trim and sofa’s worth of tassels that pull together the stomacher, a Renaissance-era decorated panel.

From New York Times

She is dressed in a stomacher of gold and a skirt of blue, a circlet of berries in her loose hair.

From Literature

A stomacher — “that triangular bit” in the front, a trademark of the period — then hooks or pins on, holding it all in place.

From Seattle Times

She hugged herself, her arms wrapped hard around her stomacher.

From Literature

Attached to her bodice and pressed against her bosom she wore a stomacher she had embroidered all over with ivy and butterflies.

From Literature