‖ maillot
(majo)
[Fr. (13th c. in Robert, but the undermentioned senses are not recorded in Fr. before the 19th c.), lit. ‘swaddling clothes’; prob. alteration of maillol, maille mesh, mail (see mail n.1).]
1. Tights.
Romance etymologists mention, but have not verified the existence of, the Maillot referred to in quot. 1936.
| 1888 H. James in Cent. Mag. Apr. 872 The hungry conjurer, the gymnast whose maillot is loose, have something of the glamour of the hero. [1936 A. Haskell Prelude to Ballet 101, 1801..An important development of costume affecting the dance is the invention of tights by Maillot, costumier of the Paris Opera.] 1939 in Webster Add. |
2. A tight-fitting, usu. one-piece, swimming costume.
| 1928 Daily Express 30 June 5/3 Dressmakers have prepared for these holiday-makers most delightful bathing outfits, and mannequins walk in maillots, bathing caps and wraps. 1928 Daily Mail 9 Aug. 3/4, I have heard of a wonderful eelskin maillot. 1960 ‘J. & E. Bonett’ No Grave for Lady v. 79 Lumina, in a white maillot, was..wincing as her bare feet met the sharp stones. 1974 F. Selwyn Cracksman on Velvet ii. 80 She was dressed in the latest Parisian maillot... It was hardly to be imagined that so fragile a costume would survive a single immersion in sea-water. |
3. A jersey, ‘top’.
| 1948 A. Waugh Unclouded Summer iv. 65 At a gala evening where the men would discard their maillots for starched linen. Ibid. 78 His heart was thudding against the cotton of his maillot. 1955 Times 29 July 9/4 This is the maillot jaune, the yellow jersey which the rider, who is so far ahead on aggregate, is privileged to wear as the emblem of leadership. 1955 D. Barton Glorious Life vi. 74 In a not quite clean maillot and a seersucker skirt. |