Camisole
/ˈkæmɪˌsoʊl/noun
A lightweight undergarment or sleeveless top, often worn under clothing.
Did you know?Camisole comes through French from Latin *camisia*, the same ancient garment-root that also gave English *chemise* and *shirt*, showing how one humble “shirt” word split into entirely different fashions.
Etymological Timeline
Late Latin
LL
camisia
“a shirt or nightshirt”
Old French
OF
camise
“a shirt, smock, or undergarment”
Middle French
MF
camisole
“a short jacket or loose shirt”
18th Century
English
camisole
“a short jacket or women’s undergarment worn over a corset”
Modern English
English
camisole
“a lightweight sleeveless undergarment or top”