juste-au-corps

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English

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Etymology

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From French justaucorps.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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juste-au-corps (plural juste-au-corps)

  1. (now historical) A tight, knee-length men's coat worn in the late 17th and early 18th century. [from 17th c.]
    • 1792, Charlotte Smith, Desmond, Broadview, published 2001, page 126:
      Under a full dress coat [] appeared a waistcoat of glod-flowered brocade, the flaps reaching to his knees, and made, I am persuaded, in the reign of Louis ci-devant le Grand.—What appeared of his breeches, under this magnificent juste au-corps, was of red velveret, forming a happy contrast to a pair of black worsted stockings.
  2. (now historical) A tight women's riding coat of the late 17th and early 18th century. [from 17th c.]
  3. (now historical) Any tight-fitting garment, specifically a coat or waistcoat, of the second half of the 17th century. [from 17th c.]