underdress

American  

[uhn-der-dres, uhn-der-dres] / ˌʌn dərˈdrɛs, ˈʌn dərˌdrɛs /

verb (used without object)

underdressed, underdrest, underdressing

1. to clothe oneself less completely or formally than is usual or fitting for the circumstances.

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noun

1. garments worn beneath others; underclothes.

2. a slip, petticoat, or other underskirt, especially one designed to be seen when worn, as beneath a redingote.

Etymology

Origin of underdress

First recorded in 1775–85; under- + dress

Example Sentences

He wasn't about to underdress for the occasion.

From Time Magazine Archive

An underdress of heavy fleece wool and waterproof canvas is worn inside, the rubber canvas trousers, with pockets, outside.

From Time Magazine Archive

He wore a blue coat with buff facings and buff underdress, a small sword, rich epaulets, a black cockade in his three-cornered hat, and a blue sash under his coat.

From In the Days of Poor Richard by Bacheller, Irving

This was used for the finely plaited underdress seen at the neck and foot of mediæval costume.

From Of Six Mediæval Women To Which Is Added A Note on Mediæval Gardens by Kemp-Welch, Alice

From her shoulders fell a long full robe of purple byssus, over an underdress of white which readied the knee.

From Idolatry A Romance by Hawthorne, Julian