stomacher

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   historical: a stiff, often richly decorated triangular panel worn over the chest and stomach at the front of a woman's bodice

   Pearls and gold embroidery covered the stomacher beneath the open gown.

2. 2
   noun

   historical: a similar garment or protective panel worn over the front of a man's torso

   The ceremonial costume included a velvet stomacher beneath the coat.

From Middle English stomacher, probably formed from stomach + -er and influenced by Anglo-Norman usage. The name identifies the ornamental or protective panel by the part of the torso it covered.

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