Etymology Map
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Camisole

4 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means a woman's loose sleeveless undergarment for the upper body

Where does the word "camisole" come from? It comes from Late Latin camisia, passing through Occitan and French before entering English (1810s).

1
Stage 1 of 4
camisia
Late Latin · ancient
"shirt"
a shirt or linen undergarment, perhaps from Gaulish
2
Stage 2 of 4
camisola
Occitan · medieval
"small shirt"
a little shirt
3
Stage 3 of 4
camisole
French · 1700s
"bodice"
a short jacket or bodice
4
Stage 4 of 4
camisole
English · 1810s
"sleeveless undergarment"
became a lingerie term in the 1800s
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Read the full story

Camisole’s story begins in Late Latin: camisia meant “shirt.” A shirt or linen undergarment, perhaps from Gaulish. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Occitan as camisola. A little shirt. From there it passed into French as camisole by 1700s. A short jacket or bodice. It reached English by 1810s as camisole. Became a lingerie term in the 1800s. Today, camisole means a woman's loose sleeveless undergarment for the upper body.