Bra

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /bɹɑː/

Definitions

1. A type of undergarment designed for women to provide support and shape to the breast area while being worn under various outfits
2. An article of clothing intended to support and enhance the breast region, typically worn discreetly beneath outer garments
3. A supportive garment worn under clothing that is specifically designed for women to shape and elevate the breasts while offering comfort and modesty

Etymology: The garment's name began as a piece of armour. Old French "brace" meant the lining or sleeve-guard worn inside a suit of armour to protect the arm, and the plural "braces" referred to the pair of such pieces covering the arms. From there the word moved from armour to clothing, first to a pair of armour-linings and eventually to a supportive garment for the breasts, which is where the modern sense comes from. The "brace" in question traces back through Latin "bracchium" (arm) to a root meaning forearm, and the name is a fitting one: the forearm is the shorter part of the arm, which is why the Latin term is linked with the idea of an arm bent at the elbow. The singular form "bra" is simply a shortening of the plural "brassiere", a borrowing from French that was itself used for an undergarment, and the clipped form took hold in everyday English.

Synonyms: brassiere, bustier, lingerie, undergarment, supporter