body stocking

American  

noun

1. a close-fitting, one-piece garment made of knitted or stretch material and usually covering the feet, legs, trunk, and arms, worn as an exercise costume or under other clothing.

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body stocking British  

noun

1. a one-piece undergarment for women, usually of nylon, covering the torso

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Etymology

Origin of body stocking

An Americanism dating back to 1960–65

Example Sentences

First in Los Angeles, then at Covent Garden in London and in Washington, Ms. Ewing chose to forgo a body stocking or a stand-in and do the dance — and drop the veil — herself.

From Washington Post • Jan. 12, 2022

At 17 she was hired to appear in a series of commercials for Hotpoint appliances in the role of Happy Hotpoint, a caped dancing elf in a body stocking.

From New York Times • Jan. 25, 2017

It took the form of a journey around the human body, demonstrated by Steele, who wore a body stocking with pictures of the vital organs in the relevant places.

From The Guardian • Mar. 14, 2013

Newporter Minnie Gushing, tall and stately with cascading hair, wore a body stocking under her gold latticework Desdemona robe designed by Oscar de la Renta.

From Time Magazine Archive

She is one of Prospero’s attendant spirits in The Tempest, and has to wear a body stocking, with a gauzy costume over top, sprinkled with dried leaves and spangles.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood