Chemised

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. A specific item of clothing designed to be worn under other garments, usually featuring a loose silhouette that can resemble a dress
2. An article of attire that provides an added layer of coverage, often crafted from light materials for comfort and ease in layering
3. A type of undergarment characterized by its flowing design, commonly made from soft fabrics, which offers a foundation layer beneath outer clothing

Etymology: "Chemised" is the past participle or adjectival form of the verb "chemise," meaning to dress someone in a chemise, or to be wearing one. The word is built from the noun "chemise" with the suffix "-ed," which turns a noun into an adjective describing someone or something furnished with that garment. The noun itself came into English from French, where "chemise" referred to a loose, shirt-like undergarment worn next to the skin. Its ultimate ancestor is the Late Latin "camisia," a word for a linen shirt, and the same root gave English "camisole," a close cousin in both form and function. Over the centuries the chemise shifted from an everyday undergarment into a more fashionable, lightweight piece, which is why the adjective now describes a layer that adds coverage while staying light and easy to wear.

Synonyms: dressed, clothed, garbed

Antonyms: naked, undressed