Waders

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of waterproof leg covering that enables individuals to walk in water without getting wet A garment worn over the lower limbs to provide insulation and protection in wet environments while participating in outdoor activities Footwear designed for navigating aquatic areas while ensuring the wearer stays dry from the waist down
2. Protective boots worn to keep legs dry while walking in wet or marshy conditions ; individuals who move through shallow water on foot, often for fishing or exploration
3. Water-resistant lower body garments designed to prevent water penetration up to the thighs or chest ; persons traversing watery areas by walking rather than swimming

Etymology: "Waders" is the plural of "wader", a waterproof garment that reaches from the feet up to the chest or waist. The source word is simply "wade" with the agent suffix "-er", so a wader is literally one who wades, and the garment is named for the activity it makes possible. The suffix has a longer history than the verb. It descends from Latin "-arius", which English borrowed through Old French "-ier" and Middle English "-er", while Old English already had its own form "-ere" for people who did things. Agent suffixes like this one are old and productive, which is why English could attach it to a verb as ordinary as "wade" without any special coinage.

Synonyms: fishing boots, waterproof boots, hip waders, chest waders, fishing gear