stomacher

American  

[stuhm-uh-ker] / ˈstʌm ə kər /

noun

1. a richly ornamented garment covering the stomach and chest, worn in the 15th and 16th centuries, and later worn under a bodice by women.

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stomacher British  

/ ˈstʌməkə /

noun

1. a decorative V-shaped panel of stiff material worn over the chest and stomach by men and women in the 16th century, later only by women

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Etymology

Origin of stomacher

A late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at stomach, -er ¹

Example Sentences

There’s the feather-bedecked cavalier hat, the skull mask, the beads, rubies, buttons, trim and sofa’s worth of tassels that pull together the stomacher, a Renaissance-era decorated panel.

From New York Times • Aug. 12, 2021

Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt was there, in hair ribbon and diamond stomacher.

From Time Magazine Archive

Through and around these scenes sweeps Edna Best, wearing a stomacher, a red wig and a putty nose.

From Time Magazine Archive

In Paris, for instance, the Walshes got clubby with Chicago's Mrs. Potter Palmer, and Evalyn was allowed to touch her stomacher.

From Time Magazine Archive

The fabric of Taryn’s is gorgeous, the cut of her mantua and stomacher perfect.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black