leotard
/ˈliːətɑːd
/noun
A close-fitting one-piece garment, made of a stretchy fabric, which covers a person’s body from the shoulders to the top of the thighs, worn by dancers or people exercising indoors: she worked out in her black leotard...
- Her wavy hair was pulled back into a high ponytail, and a tank top covered her leotard.
- Lisa walked into the gym, dressed in a leotard and sweats, her hair in a messy ponytail.
- Her face and neck are moist with sweat, and she has pulled a pink practice tutu over her leotard and tights.
Origin
Early 20th century: named after Jules Léotard (1839–70), French trapeze artist.
tutu from early 20th century:
The female ballerina's costume gets its name from the French nursery. In French tutu is a child's alteration of cucu, an informal term for the bottom, from cul ‘buttocks’. The outfit originally referred to was the short classical tutu, with a skirt projecting horizontally from the waist. The leotard sometimes worn by dancers gets its name from that of the French trapeze artist Jules Léotard (1830–1870).