sweater

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A similar garment worn for warmth.

   We could slip away / Wouldn't that be better? / Me with nothing to say / And you in your autumn sweater

2. 2
   noun

   One who sweats (produces sweat).

   The cardiologist who administered Alex's exercise stress test on August 21 observed during that test that Alex was a profuse sweater.

3. 3
   noun

   One who or that which causes to sweat.

   We learn of the cruelty of some school or child-factory from journalists; we learn it from inspectors, we learn it from doctors, we learn it even from shame-stricken schoolmasters and repentant sweaters; but we never learn it from the children; we never learn it from the victims.

4. 4
   noun

   An exploitative middleman who subcontracted piece work in the tailoring trade.

   If the piecework system had not existed there never would have been any sweatees. The men who are sweaters, I am sorry to say, are men who formerly belonged to our union.

5. 5
   noun

   A London street ruffian in Queen Anne's time who prodded passers-by with his sword-point.

   Among them were the "sweaters" who formed a circle round their prisoner and pricked him with their swords until he sank exhausted to the ground, […]

6. 6
   noun

   a crocheted or knitted garment covering the upper part of the body

7. 7
   noun

   a person who perspires

8. 8
   noun

   A knitted jacket or jersey, usually of thick wool, worn by athletes before or after exercise.

Etymology

From Middle English swētere, equivalent to sweat + -er.