bra
pronunciation
How to pronounce bra in British English:
UK [brɑ:]
How to pronounce bra in American English:
US [brɑ]
-
- Noun:
- an undergarment worn by women to support their breasts
Word Origin
- bra
- bra: [20] The word bra made its first appearance in English in the mid 1930s. It is of course an abbreviation of brassiere (an early alternative abbreviated form was bras), which was borrowed from French around 1910. The French term originated in the 17th century, when it meant simply ‘bodice’; it appears to have been an alteration of an earlier, Old French braciere ‘piece of armour for the arm or wrist’ (borrowed into English as bracer in the 14th century), a derivative of bras ‘arm’.
- bra (n.)
- by 1923, shortening of brassiere.
Example
- 1. Every bra comprises 14 to 30 individual pieces .
- 2. Bra sellers say few of their clients are unnaturally endowed .
- 3. The bra is too big if the material wrinkles or bunches .
- 4. If the bra rides up across your breasts , the band is too loose .
- 5. For women , it 's especially important to wear the right sports bra .