Fichus

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

  1. A triangular or square lightweight scarf or shawl usually worn around the shoulders and neckline of a woman's garment to cover the bosom or add modesty ; a sheer or fine fabric accessory traditionally draped over the chest or shoulders for decorative or modest purposes ; a small ornamental wrap made from lightweight materials used to adorn or veil the upper torso region especially in historical fashion contexts
  2. A delicate piece of cloth shaped typically in triangles or squares, worn over the upper chest to enhance modesty or decoration in women's apparel ; a light, often transparent covering for women's shoulders and neckline used to complement or conceal parts of the upper garment ; a type of modesty scarf fashioned from thin fabric that is arranged to overlay the bosom and shoulders for style or privacy
  3. A fashion accessory consisting of a small, usually triangular cloth worn around the neck and shoulders to cover the chest area for modesty or ornamentation ; a sheer garment detail designed to sit over the upper front of a dress or blouse, providing both decoration and coverage ; a traditional female apparel item consisting of a light, decorative wrap placed over the bosom and shoulder region to soften the look of a neckline or garment style

Etymology: The word "fichus" is simply the plural of "fichu," a French noun for a triangular scarf worn around the shoulders and tucked into the neckline. Its French source, "fichu," originally meant something thrown on without much thought, which is the sense hidden inside the adjective that also meant "got up" or "put together" in a hurried way. That careless sense traces back to "ficher," meaning to drive something in by its point, such as a nail. The verb descends from Latin "figo," "to fasten, fix, or pierce," so a garment that was flung over the shoulders carries, etymologically, the idea of something fastened in place. English borrowed the noun from French, and the "fichu" entered the language in the period that followed. The garment became especially associated with late eighteenth-century fashion, when women wore it draped over bodices and fastened at the front. The plural "fichus" simply follows the French-derived pattern of adding an "s" for more than one.

Synonyms: shawls, scarves, wraps, kerchiefs, mantillas