▪ I. stomacher1
(ˈstʌmətʃə(r), ˈstʌməkə(r))
Forms: 5 stomakere, stomechere, stomachyr, 5–6 stomachere, 5–6, 8 stomager, 6 stomackger, (8 stomatcher), 6– stomacher.
[app. f. stomach n. + -er1: but see below.
The alleged F. estomachier appears to be recorded only by Palsgrave. If it be genuine, and the source of the Eng. word, it would account for the pronunciation (ˈstʌmətʃə(r)), which is given in the pronouncing dictionaries of Kenrick (1773), Sheridan (1780), Walker (1791), Smart (1836), Worcester (1860), in Cassell's Encyclopædic Dict. (1888), and in Webster's Dict. (1828–1886). The genuineness of this pronunciation is attested by the spellings stomager (1450, 1727), stomackger (1575), stomatcher (17..), and stomacher (c 1450 onwards): the spelling with k is evidenced only once (c 1466), though the word occurs frequently in writers who wrote the word stomach with k. The pronunciation (ˈstʌməkə(r)) was given by Ogilvie Imperial Dict. (1850) and appears in later editions of that work and in recent U.S. dicts. It is not impossible that estomachier was really formed in late Anglo-French, and is the source of the Eng. word. For the sense cf. the misuse of stomach for ‘chest’ (stomach n. 3).]
† 1. ? A waistcoat or pectoral of mail. Obs. rare—1.
| 1450 in Rep. MSS. Ld. Middleton (1911) 114, I will..my felowe John Shipton for to have my dubbelet of mayell, my stomager of mayell, and a salet. |
† 2. A kind of waistcoat worn by men. Obs.
| c 1450 Coventry Myst. (Shaks. Soc.) 241 A stomachere of clere reynes. 1466 Mann. & Househ. Exp. (Roxb.) 382 Item, the same day my mastyr paid fore a stomakere of velvet, ij.s. iiij.d. 1478 Paston Lett. III. 237, I beseche yow to sende me a hose clothe..and a stomechere and ij schyrtes. 1508–13 Bk. Keruynge in Babees Bk (1868) 282 Than warme his petycote, his doublet, and his stomachere. 1530 Palsgr. 276/2 Stomacher for one's brest, estomachier. 1575 Turberv. Falconrie 16 The furryers doe vse their skynnes for stomackgers, to guard and defend the brest against the force of feruent colde. 1617 Moryson Itin. iii. 167 They use large stomachers of furre or lambe skinnes. a 1625 Fletcher Mad Lover iii. i, Talking to an old man is like a stomacher, It keeps his blood warm. 1693 Congreve Double Dealer iii. i. (1694) 33 The first Favour he receiv'd from her was a piece of an old Scarlet Petticoat for a Stomacher. a 1700 Evelyn Diary May 1645 (Lucca), Embroidred stomachers generaly worn by gentlemen in these countries. 1702 E. Baynard Cold Baths ii. (1709) 375 He wore a quilted Stomacher. 1715 tr. Pancirollus' Rerum Mem. I. iv. ii. 147 They wore also Stomachers, but in cold Weather most commonly woollen Shirts. |
† b. A medicated cloth applied to the chest. Obs.
| 1577 Frampton Joyfull Newes i. 7 In griefes of the Stomake, it [this plaister] doth a merueilous effect, applied after the maner of a Stomacher. 1584 Cogan Haven Health xlviii. 56 The herbe..put in a lynnen bagge and laide as a stomager next the skinne comforteth a colde stomacke well. 1682 Digby's Chym. Secr. ii. 203 Take Wormwood..; of these make a Stomacher, and apply it. |
3. An ornamental covering for the chest (often covered with jewels) worn by women under the lacing of the bodice.
| 1535 Coverdale Isa. iii. 24 Instead of a stomacher [so 1560 (Geneva), 1611, 1884 (Revised)], a sack cloth. 1566 Engl. Ch. Furniture (Peacock 1866) 56 Wherof his wief made of one a stomacher for her wench. 1580 Lyly Euphues Eng. To Ladies (Arb.) 222 If a Tailour make your gowne too little, you couer his fault with a broad stomacher. 1611 Shakes. Wint. T. iv. iii. 226 Golden Quoifes, and Stomachers For my Lads, to giue their deers. 1653 H. Cogan Diodorus Sic. 161 The Goddesse Minerva..killed this cruell monster, and of her skinne made her selfe a stomacher. 1688 Holme Armoury iii. 94/2 The Stomacher is that peece as lieth under the lacing or binding on of the Body of the Gown. 1702 Lond. Gaz. No. 3806/8 Lost.., a Diamond Stomacher with a row of Rose Diamonds down the middle. c 1710 C. Fiennes Diary (1888) 252 Their stomatchers some were all Diamonds. 1727 Dorrington Philip Quarll 163 Which seem'd to adorn her Bosom far more than the richest Stomager made of Diamonds or Pearls could do. 1731 Gentl. Mag. I. 289 Sometimes the stomacher rises almost to the chin. 1737 Ibid. VII. 513/2 The Princess of Wales had on an exceeding rich Stomacher. 1761 Brit. Mag. II. 446 The rich diamond stomacher for our intended queen is quite finished. 1837 Dickens Pickw. xlix, An old-fashioned green velvet dress, with a long waist and stomacher. 1868 Morn. Star 7 Mar., Ornaments: Diamond necklace and stomacher. 1880 Cassell's Family Mag. VI. 758/2 Several of the winter dresses are laced in front over a stomacher. |
| attrib. 1753 Lond. Mag. Sept. 396/2 Before, for your breast, pin a stomacher bib on. |
† b. transf.
| 1611 Shakes. Cymb. iii. iv. 86 Away, away Corrupters of my Faith, you [sc. letters that she had carried in her bosom] shall no more Be Stomachers to my heart. 1613 Donne Epithalam. 8 The houshold Bird with the red stomacher. 1717 J. Dennis Orig. Lett. (1721) I. 33 You look full over Box Hill, and see the Country beyond it,..and, over the very Stomacher of it, see St. Paul's at five and twenty Miles Distance. |
▪ II. † ˈstomacher2 Obs.
In 7 stomaker.
[f. stomach v. + -er1.]
One who ‘stomachs’ or resents.
| 1608 Chapman Byron's Trag. v. R 3, By my loue..command them To..proue no stomakers of my misfortunes. |
▪ III. stomacher3 Pugilism.
(ˈstʌməkə(r))
[f. stomach n. + -er1.]
A blow on the stomach.
| 1814 Sporting Mag. XLIII. 68 B. gave C. a stomacher. 1831 Blackw. Mag. XXX. 979 [He] seems to have given his adversary a facer and a stomacher, right and left. 1832 Marryat N. Forster xlvii, A stomacher, and both down! |