Brassieres

/bræˈzɪərz/ noun

Definition

Plural of brassiere; multiple women's support undergarments.

Etymology

Simple plural of 'brassiere,' which comes from French 'brassière,' an Old French term for an arm guard or doublet.

Kelly Says

The word 'brassiere' traveled from French meaning 'arm-related' to English meaning a completely different garment—it's a wild example of how languages repurpose old words in new ways!

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Plural of brassière, carrying the same gendered history as the singular form—product category historically marketed exclusively to women with specific body expectations.

Inclusive Usage

Use technically when discussing the garment category. Consider neutral language (support garments, undergarments) in formal or inclusive contexts.

Inclusive Alternatives

["support garments","undergarments","chest support garments"]

Empowerment Note

Women engineers and inventors shaped modern garment design; their contributions to comfort and functionality are often uncredited in fashion history.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.