codpiece

American  

[kod-pees] / ˈkɒdˌpis /

noun

1. (in the 15th and 16th centuries) a flap or cover for the crotch in men's hose or tight-fitting breeches, usually matching the costume and often decorated.

2. Obsolete. penis.

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codpiece British  

/ ˈkɒdˌpiːs /

noun

1. a bag covering the male genitals, attached to hose or breeches by laces, etc, worn in the 15th and 16th centuries

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Etymology

Origin of codpiece

1400–50; late Middle English. See cod ², piece

Example Sentences

We were up there in freezing Budapest and I was wearing tights and a codpiece.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 30, 2024

Ancient Egyptians had schenti, Romans wore subligaculum, and the Medieval world embraced braies and chausses before the introduction of the codpiece during the Renaissance.

From National Geographic • Jan. 9, 2024

Gladiator codpiece, chariot, armour, plus prop horses that look both frightened and frightening.

From The Guardian • Apr. 6, 2018

Blackie Lawless, the lead singer of the hair band W.A.S.P., used to perform wearing a flaming codpiece, which once exploded, burning the hair off his legs.

From Slate • Jan. 28, 2013

Despite his lead codpiece, the dust—undoubtedly—filtered in and at him, brought him daily, so long as he failed to emigrate, its little load of befouling filth.

From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick