Layette

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /leɪˈ(j)ɛt/

Definitions

1. A curated ensemble of clothing and items meant for newborns, typically featuring garments, blankets, and accessories for their care
2. An organized collection of essential apparel and accessories intended for infants, which often includes sleepsuits, hats, and linens
3. An assortment of garments and necessities specifically designed for infants, usually incorporating clothing items, bedding, and various accessories for their care

Etymology: French "layette" comes from Old French "laie," a word for a wooden box or chest, and the diminutive "-ette" turned it into a small box. In French usage, a layette was specifically a small chest or case in which a baby's clothes and linens were kept, so the name for the container came to stand for its contents. The sense of the baby's outfit itself is therefore a transfer from the box to what was packed inside it. English borrowed the term from French, and it retains the French pronunciation with its final stress, which is why it sounds unlike most English nouns. The word is still used for the complete set of garments and linens prepared before a child is born.

Synonyms: baby clothes, infant clothing