negligee

American  

[neg-li-zhey, neg-li-zhey] / ˌnɛg lɪˈʒeɪ, ˈnɛg lɪˌʒeɪ /

Or negligée,

noun

1. a dressing gown or robe, usually of sheer fabric and having soft, flowing lines, worn by women.

2. easy, informal attire.

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negligee British  

/ ˈnɛɡlɪˌʒeɪ /

noun

1. a woman's light dressing gown, esp one that is lace-trimmed

2. a thin and revealing woman's nightdress

3. any informal attire

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Etymology

Origin of negligee

1745–55, < French négligé carelessness, undress, literally, neglected, past participle of négliger < Latin negligere, variant of neglegere to neglect

Example Sentences

A poem printed in New York in 1756 has these lines:— "Put on her a Shepherdee A Short Sack or Negligee Ruffled high to keep her warm Eight or ten about an arm."

From Diary of Anna Green Winslow A Boston School Girl of 1771 by Winslow, Anna Green

There was no more of the Sort, or you should have had enough for a Negligee or Suit.

From Benjamin Franklin; Self-Revealed, Volume I (of 2) A Biographical and Critical Study Based Mainly on his own Writings by Bruce, Wiliam Cabell