singlet [sing-glit] EXAMPLES|WORD ORIGIN noun a sleeveless athletic jersey, especially a loose-fitting top worn by runners, joggers, etc. a single unit; an unpaired or separate item. Chiefly British. a man’s undershirt or jersey. Liberaldictionary.com
Origin of singlet First recorded in 1740–50; single + -et Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019 Examples from the Web for singlet Historical Examples of singlet
He was dressed in a singlet, without arms, and a pair of duck trousers.
William Somerset Maugham
“Why, look yer ‘ere,” said the miner, showing the shoulders of his singlet.
David Herbert Lawrence
My costume may be guessed from the name I gave to the ascent — Singlet Hill.
The South Pole, Volumes 1 and 2
Roald Amundsen
On the settee behind the table lay a man in trousers and singlet, snoring.
William McFee
Clad only in dungaree trousers and singlet, I go below, on watch.
William McFee
British Dictionary definitions for singlet singlet noun mainly British and Australian a man’s sleeveless undergarment covering the body from the shoulders to the hips Australian a similar sleeveless garment worn as outerwearAlso called (in Britain): vest mainly British a garment worn with shorts by athletes, boxers, etc NZ a black woollen outer garment worn by bushmen physics a multiplet that has only one member chem a chemical bond consisting of one electron Word Origin for singlet C18: from single, on the model of doublet Collins English Dictionary – Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 Word Origin and History for singlet n.
“unlined woolen garment,” c.1746, from single (adj.) in clothing sense of “unlined, of one thickness” (late 14c.) + -et, apparently in imitation of doublet.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper