smock

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a loose garment worn over other clothes to protect them, traditionally by artists, workers, or farm laborers

   The potter wore a canvas smock to protect her clothes from clay.

2. 2
   noun

   historical: a woman's loose undergarment or shift

   The costume included a linen smock beneath the outer dress.

3. 3
   verb

   to decorate or shape fabric by gathering it into small folds held with embroidery

   She learned to smock the bodice with rows of elastic stitches.

Simplified etymology

Smock comes from Old English smoc, used for a woman’s loose-fitting undergarment, and is related to Old English smūgan, “to creep.” The connection reflects the Anglo-Saxon use of that verb for putting on clothing. In the 19th century smock was applied to agricultural workers’ clothing decorated with smocking, and from the 20th century to loose dresses, blouses, and artists’ protective garments.

From Middle English smok and Old English smoc, a garment put on by slipping the head through an opening. It is related to Germanic verbs meaning 'creep' or 'slip into.' The embroidery sense developed from the gathered stitching used on traditional smocks.

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary