skivvy

¹ American  

[skiv-ee] / ˈskɪv i /

Or scivvy

noun

Informal.

PLURAL

skivvies

1. Also called skivvy shirt.  a man's cotton T-shirt.

2. skivvies, underwear consisting of cotton T-shirt and shorts.

3. a thin sweater with a round neck, usually worn over a blouse, turtleneck, or the like.

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skivvy ² American  

[skiv-ee] / ˈskɪv i /

noun

PLURAL

skivvies

1. a female servant, especially a chambermaid.

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verb (used without object)

skivvied, skivvying

1. to work as a skivvy.

skivvy ¹ British  

/ ˈskɪvɪ /

noun

1. slang  a man's T-shirt or vest

2. slang  (plural) men's underwear

3. a garment resembling a sweater with long sleeves and a polo neck, usually made of stretch cotton or cotton and polyester and worn by either sex

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skivvy ² British  

/ ˈskɪvɪ /

noun

1. derogatory  a servant, esp a female, who does menial work of all kinds; drudge

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verb

1. (intr) to work as a skivvy

Sensitive Note

This term is used with disparaging intent, implying the low rank of such a servant.

Etymology

Origin of skivvy¹

First recorded in 1925–30; origin uncertain

Origin of skivvy²

First recorded in 1910–15; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

"I was grafting, picking up boxes, dreaming of being at an Olympic Games. I was doing the rubbish, delivering parts, just a skivvy job really," he said.

From BBC

You can vacuum pack clothing to save on space, or try the skivvy roll to pack your undies into a neat, sock-encased bundle.

From The Verge

Borrowing this straight off the runway styling note has an extra advantage: when you wear a jumpsuit with a skivvy underneath, you don’t have to go totally nude in the toilette.

From The Guardian

Powell marked time in a commercial laundry until she was 15 and old enough to don cap and apron, the hated stigmata of the skivvy.

From The Guardian

She that was waiting on you, she's got you to skivvy for her now!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bond servant
• bondslave
• bondsman/woman
• captive
• chattel
• serf