Bodysuit

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A snug garment that envelops the torso and sometimes limbs, frequently utilized in dancing or physical activities
2. An outfit that fits closely to the body, serving both aesthetic and practical roles, typically found in sports or fashion
3. A fitted garment that covers the torso and may include sleeves, often worn for activities like dance, fitness, or as a trendy fashion statement

Etymology: A bodysuit is about as literal as compounds get: a "body" and a "suit," joined to name a single close-fitting garment that covers the torso and often the limbs. The "suit" half comes from the Old French "suite," meaning a following or set of things, which entered English as a word for a set of matching clothes and later for the outfit a person wears. Put together, the word describes an outfit that fits the body as one piece, with no separate trousers or top to come loose. The word is used for garments worn in dance, gymnastics, and other physical activities, where a single snug piece stays in place through movement. Its parts are plain and transparent, so there is little hidden history here beyond the ordinary paths of "body" and "suit" into English.

Synonyms: catsuit, unitard, bodice