codpiece

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noun cod·piece \ ˈkäd-ˌpēs \

Definition of codpiece

:a flap or bag concealing an opening in the front of men's breeches especially in the 15th and 16th centuries

Recent Examples of codpiece from the Web

Ty Lue has instructed all of his players to wear metal codpieces beneath their shorts to increase the likelihood that Draymond Green will have to exit the series with a severe foot injury.

— mike polk jr., cleveland.com, "Rational hopes, sick burns and unblocked shots for your NBA Finals pleasure: Mike Polk Jr.," 4 June 2017
A rare touring drama, a double-dose of the Phantom and Shakespeare in an enormous codpiece highlight the 2017-18 Hennepin Theatre Trust season, announced Monday.

— chris hewitt, Twin Cities, "Nine musicals and a drama in touring season at Orpheum," 23 Jan. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'codpiece.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of codpiece

Middle English codpese, from cod "bag, scrotum" (going back to Old English codd, akin to Middle Dutch codde "cylindrical piece of wood," Old Frisian kudda "cudgel," Middle Low German kudde, kodde "hog," Old Norse koddi "pillow, scrotum," all from a Germanic base denoting something distended and unevenly shaped) + pese ¹piece

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First Known Use: 15th century

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