Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun
- underwear, sleepwear, and other items of intimate apparel worn by women.
- Archaic. linen goods in general.
adjective
- having the qualities of lingerie; lacy or frilly.
noun
- women’s underwear and nightwear
- archaic linen goods collectively
1835 (but not in widespread use until 1852), from French lingerie “things made of linen,” also “laundry room, linen shop” (15c.), from Old French linge “linen” (12c.), from Latin lineus (adj.) “of linen,” from linum “flax, linen” (see linen). Originally introduced in English as a euphemism for scandalous under-linen.