armscye

[ ahrm-sahy, -zahy ]

noun

1. (especially in tailoring and dressmaking) the armhole opening in a garment through which the hand, and then the arm, passes, and to which a sleeve may be attached.

Word History and Origins

Origin of armscye¹

First recorded in 1920–25; arm ¹ + scye “armhole” (originally Scots, Ulster dialect s(e)y, sie, of uncertain origin); reanalyzed by folk etymology as “arm's eye”

Example Sentences

Fold and join under the arms, making the armscye of desired size.

From Project Gutenberg