leotardn.
/ˈliːə(ʊ)tɑːd/, U.S. /ˈliəˌtɑrd/ A close-fitting one-piece garment worn by acrobats and dancers; a similar fashion garment.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > one-piece garment > [noun]
playsuit1609
romper1902
romper suit1904
diving-suit1908
bunting1914
teddy bear1917
leotard1920
Sidcot1921
sleeper1921
romper1922
pressure suit1923
boiler suit1928
maillot1928
mono1937
footy1938
all-in-one1939
siren suit1939
goonskin1943
anti-g suit1945
G-suit1945
jump suit1948
immersion suit1951
moon suit1953
poopy suit1953
dry suit1955
wetsuit1955
sleepsuit1958
Babygro1959
tank suit1959
cat-suit1960
penguin suit1961
unitard1961
bodysuit1963
shortall1966
steamer1982
1920 J. W. Mansfield Let. Jan. (MS. in G. & C. Merriam Co. files) Leotards..are used by acrobats and aerial performers.
1930 Theatre Arts Monthly Jan. p. viii/3 (advt.) The improved Nat Lewis leotards. Lovely, yet sturdily constructed for hard usage.
1939 E. Adeler & C. West Remember Fred Karno ii. 39 The gymnasts' costume worn by Westcott consisted of the classic leotard, a sort of vest specially designed to leave the arms free, spangled neckpiece and trunks.
1953 Ballet Ann. 7 66/1 The simplest of costumes—white tutus for the girls, black leotards for boys.
1957 N.Y. Times Mag. 3 Mar. 42/1 (advt.) Low and behold, the leotard..the shape they said could never be built into a corselette.
1957 Life 12 Aug. 91/2 (caption) Short skirt worn over striped leotards.
1957 Vogue 15 Aug. 42/1 (advt.) Worsted knit leotard pants.
1958 Daily Express 8 Aug. 2/7 Leotards will be the rage with teenage girls this autumn—ballet tights made of stretch nylon.
1966 T. Pynchon Crying of Lot 49 iii. 63 One of the girls, a long-waisted, brown-haired lovely in a black knit leotard.
1969 Sears, Roebuck Catal. Spring–Summer 21 Swimsuit. Knit of stretch nylon. Popular one-piece styling takes added fashion interest with its smart leotard look. Suit can also be worn as a leotard.
Derivatives
ˈleotarded adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > wearing clothing > [adjective] > wearing a one-piece garment
Sidcotted1927
leotarded1972
wetsuited1972
1972 Listener 20 Jan. 93/3 Leotarded, limbs akimbo.
1972 Village Voice (N.Y.) 1 June 40/4 Her dance, more leotarded than veiled, was attitude rather than movement.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1976; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1920