Brassiere
/bræˈzɪər/noun
A woman's undergarment worn to support the breasts.
Did you know?The term 'brassiere' originally referred to a child's apron or a protective garment, evolving to signify the intimate support we know today.
Etymological Timeline
Middle French
French
brassière
“A protective garment or apron for children.”
19th Century
French
brassière
“Specifically a support garment for women, derived from the idea of 'supporting'.”
Modern English
English
brassiere
“Adopted into English as the term for a woman's undergarment.”
Latin
Latin
bracchium
“Meaning 'arm', indicating the garment's supportive nature.”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bhergh-
“To lift or carry, relating to the supportive function of the garment.”