See also: arm hole

English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

From Middle English arme hole, armehole, arm hole, arm-hole, armhole, arm-hool(e), armole, harmehole; equivalent to arm +‎ hole.[1]

Pronunciation edit

  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈɑɹmˌhoʊl/
  • (file)

Noun edit

armhole (plural armholes)

  1. (anatomy, now rare Midlands dialect) A human armpit.
  2. (anatomy, rare and obsolete) Similar structures in other animals.
  3. (fashion) A hole for an arm in a piece of clothing.
    • 1731 January 15, Proceedings of the Old Bailey, page 13:
      He... violently pull'd off her Riding-Hood, and tore it at the Arm Holes in pulling it off.

Synonyms edit

Translations edit

References edit

  1. ^ "armhole, n." in the Oxford English Dictionary (2016), Oxford: Oxford University Press.