Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Plural form of bloomer.
  • noun dated Any of several forms of women’s divided garment for the lower body
  • noun informal Women’s underpants with short legs; knickers or drawers

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun underpants worn by women

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

bloomer + -s

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Examples

  • A Sterling Cycle Works ad read, For Bloomers: Ladies who cycle in bloomers will find The Sterling the ideal Bicycle.

    "Make It Yourself": Home Sewing, Gender, and Culture, 1890-1930 2006

  • This anxiety over bloomers is evident in an 1889 article describing a women's athletic club.

    "Make It Yourself": Home Sewing, Gender, and Culture, 1890-1930 2006

  • "I hate the phrase late bloomers ," our gawky heroine laments.

    The Comic-Grotesque Goes North Sam Sacks 2011

  • She clearly doesn't know that in English bloomers means big pants or mistakes.

    The Guardian World News Stuart Jeffries 2011

  • This book will be in the new type with a fresh set of historiated 'bloomers' designed by C.R. ASHBEE. 250 copies.

    Mr. Edward Arnold's New and Popular Books, December, 1901 Edward [Editor] Arnold

  • Leech had a picture of "A Quiet Smoke" in _Punch_, which depicted five ladies in short wide skirts and "bloomers" in a tobacconist's shop, two smoking cigars and one a pipe, while "one of the inferior animals" behind the counter was selling tobacco.

    The Social History of Smoking George Latimer Apperson 1897

  • The languid one commented upon the female fetich, the skirt, and condemned "bloomers," whereupon Glory declared that they were just charming, and being challenged (by a gentleman) for her reasons she said, "Because when a girl's got them on she feels as if she's an understudy for a man, and may even have a chance of playing the part itself in another and a better world."

    The Christian A Story Hall Caine 1892

  • We won't wear "bloomers," or make any attempt to imitate you in our dress, manners, or occupations; we will do nothing to offend the most fastidious, we will be women still.

    The Womans Advocate 1869

  • We won't wear "bloomers," or make any attempt to imitate you in our dress, manners, or occupations; we will do nothing to offend the most fastidious, we will be women still.

    THE WOMAN'S ADVOCATE 1869

  • We won't wear "bloomers," or make any attempt to imitate you in our dress, manners, or occupations; we will do nothing to offend the most fastidious, we will be women still.

    Justice or Expediency 1869

Comments

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  • "Ladies' grey flannelette bloomers, three shillings a pair, astonishing bargain."

    Joyce, Ulysses, 13

    January 14, 2007