bra English · revision 15442

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=clipping|attested=1923}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /bɹɑː/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a shortening of [[brassiere]].^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ By 1923 in Etymonline;^(Etymonline) the OED's first quotation is from 1936, and the New Oxford and Concise Oxford date it to the 1930s.^(OED 1989)^(NODE 1998)^(COED 2004)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Braless is a later derivative.^(COED 2004)^(Collins 2023) In North America a car bra or auto bra is a cover fitted over the front of a car.^(NODE 1998)^(SOED 2002) A different bra, in quantum mechanics a vector paired with a ket, is from 1947, from bra(cket).^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002) In South African slang bra is also a word for a friend or brother.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1923 – bra, a brassiere.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1936 – first in the OED.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1947 – bra in quantum mechanics.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A woman's undergarment worn to support the [[breast|alt=breasts]]; a [[brassiere]].^(AHD)^(COED 2004)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[braless]]

+ * [[bra burner]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[brassiere]]

+ * [[bustier]]

+ * [[corset]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}