smock

American  

[smok] / smɒk /

noun

1. a loose, lightweight overgarment worn to protect the clothing while working.

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verb (used with object)

1. to clothe in a smock.

2. to draw (a fabric) by needlework into a honeycomb pattern with diamond-shaped recesses.

smock British  

/ smɒk /

noun

1. any loose protective garment, worn by artists, laboratory technicians, etc

2. a woman's loose blouse-like garment, reaching to below the waist, worn over slacks, etc

3. Also called: smock frock.  a loose protective overgarment decorated with smocking, worn formerly esp by farm workers

4. archaic a woman's loose undergarment, worn from the 16th to the 18th centuries

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verb

1. to ornament (a garment) with smocking

Other Word Forms

• smocklike adjective
• unsmocked adjective

Etymology

Origin of smock

before 1000; Middle English (noun), Old English smocc; originally name for a garment with a hole for the head; compare Old Norse smjūga to put on (a garment) over the head

Example Sentences

But almost every silhouette was inspired after a specific design she used for almost all her shirts: a boxy shape with four front pockets and partial buttons, similar to a smock.

From Los Angeles Times

One man in white smock and flowing beard waved a giant flag; another held a large silver icon above Georgescu's head.

From BBC

He said: "When you've been sitting there since the crack of dawn in a smock waiting to have open heart surgery, however calm I tried to feel, you still get a bit nervous."

From BBC

Beatrice was wearing her polished cotton, very girlish with the smocking across the bodice.

From Literature

He donned a chef’s smock this week to show a couple of them off, including a green salad with apple, almonds, blueberry vinaigrette — and roasted cicadas.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• apparel
• attire
• costume
• ensemble
• frock
• garb
• gown
• robe
• skirt
• suit
• uniform
• wardrobe