Armlet

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈɑːmlət/

Definitions

1. A piece of jewelry that fits around the upper arm, serving both decorative and ornamental purposes while enhancing the wearer's style
2. An accessory designed to be worn around the arm, often for embellishment or adornment, showcasing various artistic designs
3. A band of decorative material worn encircling the upper part of the arm to enhance appearance

Etymology: "Armlet" is about as transparent as English compounds get: it is simply "arm" with the diminutive suffix "-let," the same ending found in "booklet," "piglet," and "droplet." The suffix means "small" or "little," so an armlet is literally a little arm, or more precisely a small band for the arm. The pattern is old in English, which borrowed "-let" from Old French, where it had the same diminutive force. The word has a close sibling in "frontlet," a band worn on the forehead, which follows exactly the same construction with "front" in place of "arm." Both words belong to a family of "-let" formations that name ornaments or garments by the body part they adorn, so an armlet and a frontlet are built on identical lines.

Synonyms: bracelet, wristlet, bangle, cuff, band