Coverall

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈkʌv.ə.ɹɔːl/

Definitions

1. A protective one-piece outfit that provides all-around coverage for various tasks while shielding the wearer's regular clothing underneath
2. A full-body garment typically worn for safety and cleanliness during work, ensuring the wearer's attire remains intact
3. A comprehensive garment designed to safeguard the entire body from dirt and hazards, commonly used in industrial or labor environments

Etymology: "Coverall" is a plain compound: "cover" joined to "all," the same pairing that gives us words like "overall" and "overalls." The "all" here is the adjective meaning "entire," so the word describes something that covers everything, which is exactly what the garment does, shielding the whole body rather than just a part of it. The word's modern sense shows how it narrowed. Its parts describe a generic protective covering, but in English it became attached to the one-piece workwear worn over ordinary clothes in factories, workshops and laboratories. The name suits that job: a single garment that takes the place of a whole outfit of trousers and shirt.

Synonyms: jumpsuit, overalls, uniform, workwear, protective clothing