Synonyms for smock

Grammar : Noun

Spell : smok

Phonetic Transcription : smɒk

Top 10 synonyms for smock

Other synonyms for the word smock

Définition of smock

Origin : Old English smoc "garment worn by women, corresponding to the shirt on men," from Proto-Germanic *smukkaz (cf. Old Norse smokkr "a smock," but this is perhaps from Old English; Old High German smoccho "smock," a rare word; North Frisian smok "woman's shift," but this, too, perhaps from English).
Klein's sources, Barnhart and the OED see this as connected to a group of Germanic sm- words having to do with creeping or pressing close, e.g. Old Norse smjuga "to creep (through an opening), to put on (a garment)," smuga "narrow cleft to creep through; small hole;" Old Swedish smog "a round hole for the head;" Old English smugan, smeogan "to creep," smygel "a burrow." Cf. also German schmiegen "to cling to, press close, nestle;" and Schmuck "jewelry, adornments," from schmucken "to adorn," literally "to dress up."
Watkins, however, traces it to a possible Germanic base *(s)muk- "wetness," figuratively "slipperiness," from PIE root*meug- "slimy, slippery" (see mucus). Either way, the original notion, then, seems generally to have been "garment one creeps or slips into," by the same pattern that produced sleeve and slip (n.2).
Now replaced by euphemistic shift (n.2); smock was the common word down to 18c., and was emblematic of womanhood generally, cf. verb smock "to render (a man) effeminate or womanish" (1610s); smocker "man who consorts with women" (18c.); smock-face "person having a pale, effeminate face" (c.1600). A smock-race (1707) was an old country pastime, a foot-race for women and girls with a smock as a prize. Modern meaning "woman's or child's loose dress or blouse" is from 1907; sense of "loose garment worn by artists over other clothes" is from 1938.

As in bathrobe : noun robe
As in apron : noun protection
As in chemise : noun undergarment
As in getup : noun dress
As in tog : noun dress
As in dress : noun clothing; woman's garment

Example sentences :

There is another ahead of him there, with the head of a scythe inside his smock.
Extract from : « Micah Clarke » by Arthur Conan Doyle

Mist, a contraction of commission, signifying a shirt, smock or sheet.
Extract from : « The Surprising Adventures of Bampfylde Moore Carew » by Unknown

"Quite right, Lorenzo," said Flamby, throwing her smock on to a stool.
Extract from : « The Orchard of Tears » by Sax Rohmer

He was dressed in a sort of smock that was much torn, and held in his hand a stout staff.
Extract from : « Childhood » by Leo Tolstoy

In 1873 the name was shortened to Smock and it so appears today.
Extract from : « The Peaches of New York » by U. P. Hedrick

Beers Smock and Smock are identical as grown at this Station.
Extract from : « The Peaches of New York » by U. P. Hedrick

Geary is said to be a seedling of Smock; on the Station grounds it ripens with it.
Extract from : « The Peaches of New York » by U. P. Hedrick

Truly, I know not, except you will wear a smock's upper coat.
Extract from : « A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 10 (of 15) » by Various

There were sack races for the young men and smock races for the young women.
Extract from : « The Historical Child » by Oscar Chrisman

No man in Oxford market wore a smock that could be compared with his.
Extract from : « Cripps, the Carrier » by R. D. (Richard Doddridge) Blackmore

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019