juste-au-corps

English

Etymology

From French justaucorps.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈʒuːstəʊkɔː/

Noun

juste-au-corps (plural juste-au-corps)

1. (now historical) A tight, knee-length men's coat worn in the late 17th and early 18th century. [from 17th c.]
   • 1792, Charlotte Smith, Desmond, Broadview, published 2001, page 126:

     Under a full dress coat […] appeared a waistcoat of glod-flowered brocade, the flaps reaching to his knees, and made, I am persuaded, in the reign of Louis ci-devant le Grand.—What appeared of his breeches, under this magnificent juste au-corps, was of red velveret, forming a happy contrast to a pair of black worsted stockings.

2. (now historical) A tight women's riding coat of the late 17th and early 18th century. [from 17th c.]
3. (now historical) Any tight-fitting garment, specifically a coat or waistcoat, of the second half of the 17th century. [from 17th c.]