Codpiece — Cod piece , n. [Cod, n., ? + piece.] A part of male dress in front of the breeches, formerly made very conspicuous. Shak. Fosbroke. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
codpiece — mid 15c., a bagged appendage to the front of the breeches; often conspicuous [OED], from O.E. codd a bag, pouch, husk, in M.E., testicles (common Germanic, Cf. O.N. koddi pillow, Du. kodde bag ) + PIECE (Cf. piece) … Etymology dictionary
codpiece — ► NOUN ▪ a pouch to cover the genitals on a pair of man s breeches, worn in the 15th and 16th centuries. ORIGIN from earlier cod «scrotum», from Old English, «bag» … English terms dictionary
codpiece — [käd′pēs΄] n. [ COD2 + PIECE] a bag or flap fastened over the front opening in the tight breeches worn by men in the 15th and 16th cent … English World dictionary
Codpiece — Henry VIII wearing a codpiece A codpiece (from Middle English: cod, meaning scrotum ) is a covering flap or pouch that attaches to the front of the crotch of men s trousers and usually accentuates the genital area. It was held closed by string… … Wikipedia
codpiece — /kod pees /, n. 1. (in the 15th and 16th centuries) a flap or cover for the crotch in men s hose or tight fitting breeches, usually matching the costume and often decorated. 2. Obs. penis. [1400 50; late ME. See COD2, PIECE] * * * ▪ clothing… … Universalium
codpiece — UK [ˈkɒdˌpiːs] / US [ˈkɑdˌpɪs] noun [countable] Word forms codpiece : singular codpiece plural codpieces a piece of material covering a man s sexual organs, worn in the 15th and 16th centuries … English dictionary
codpiece — noun /ˈkɒdˌpiːs/ a) A part of male dress in front of the breeches to cover the male genitals, sometimes made very conspicuous in former times. Borachio: Seest thou not, I say, what a deformed thief this fashion is, how giddily ’a turns about all… … Wiktionary
codpiece — [[t]kɒ̱dpiːs[/t]] codpieces N COUNT A codpiece was a piece of material worn by men in the 15th and 16th centuries to cover their genitals … English dictionary
codpiece — cod|piece [ˈkɔdpi:s US ˈka:d ] n [Date: 1400 1500; Origin: cod bag, scrotum (11 19 centuries) (from Old English codd) + piece] a piece of coloured cloth worn by men in the 15th and 16th centuries to cover the opening in the front of their… … Dictionary of contemporary English