The term bodice is derived from body. One sense of the word body is “the part of a garment covering the body or trunk.” In the 17th and 18th centuries a woman’s corset was often called a “pair of bodies.” The plural bodies, or bodice, was eventually interpreted as a singular. Bodice is now most often used to refer to the upper part of a woman’s dress.
Recent Examples on the WebThe bodice of her dress was a form-fitting, halter-neck top with a racer back.—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 17 July 2024 The tie-up ribbon straps and stretchy bodice set it apart from other dresses while keeping it simple and stunning.—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 17 July 2024 The sheer bodice of Thorne’s dress also featured the peekaboo bra trend, as the actress layered a black bralette beneath.—Julia Teti, WWD, 15 July 2024 Bailey, who presented at the awards show, looked like a summer goddess in a black minidress with a gold floral bodice.—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 12 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for bodice
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bodice.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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