shirtwaist

[ shurt-weyst ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a tailored blouse or shirt worn by women.
Also called shirt-dress, a dress with a bodice and a front opening tailored like those of a dress shirt.

First recorded in 1875–80; shirt + waist

“I might buy that dotted swiss shirtwaist,” whispered Betty, as Mrs. Watterby ordered five yards of apron gingham measured off.

She had dressed herself in a simple skirt and shirtwaist of spotless white.

But life told them that society was brutal: an episode like the shirtwaist factory fire drove them to blasphemy and dynamite.

She was wearing a shirtwaist and skirt that had the bright colors and fullness you associate with peasant dress.

She laughed in low, rich tones, and her shirtwaist rose and fell rapidly from short breathing.

Browse