chemise

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a loose shirtlike undergarment or nightdress, historically worn next to the skin by women

   The school ordered plain calico chemises for the pupils.

2. 2
   noun

   a loose, straight dress hanging from the shoulders without a fitted waist

   The designer based the summer dress on a simple linen chemise.

Borrowed from French chemise, from Late Latin camisa or camisia, 'shirt or undergarment.' The same word family produced historical English shift-like garments and, through a dialect form, shimmy.

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