Definitions

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

  • adjective Reinforced with whalebone.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

whalebone +‎ -ed

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word whaleboned.

Examples

  • The whaleboned corset gripped her hips, violently squeezed her waist and rose to cushion her breasts and force them up.

    Tai-Pan Clavell, James 1966

  • "Guess we can't tell you!" replied the American mother, whose corsets were not in exact accord with the cushions upon which she sat, breathing heavily from her upper whaleboned register.

    Desert Love Joan Conquest

  • With their silly -- whaleboned waists and their grotesque basques and impossible pleatings!

    Little Miss By-The-Day Lucille Van Slyke

  • "In truth, we think we should be allowed a share in the lady'th thmileth," lisped one from behind him, and his Grace turned to face dainty, effeminate little Viscount Fotheringham, who stood at his elbow, resplendent in salmon-pink satin and primrose velvet, with skirts so full and stiffly whaleboned that they stood out from his person, and heels so high that instead of walking he could only mince.

    The Black Moth: A Romance of the XVIII Century 1921

  • The long pointed waist, chuck full of real, hard, stiff whalebones (all the whalebones must have been used up then; nobody can find one now), corset also whaleboned to the limit, laced at the back and with literally a board up the front, at least three inches wide — a real board, apple tree wood preferred, hard and stiff and unyielding.

    Social life in old New Orleans : being recollections of my girlhood, 1912

  • Although Mrs. Goodrich, Mrs. Lawrence and Mrs. Tracy were more up to date in their general appearance, wearing slightly larger hats and fewer feathers, with narrow dog collars instead of whaleboned net, they were as disdainful as the others of every art that aims to preserve something of the effect of youth; although they were spickingly groomed.

    Black Oxen Gertrude Franklin Horn Atherton 1902

  • Mrs. Vane drew herself up -- figuratively, for she could hardly be more perpendicular, with her unyielding spine, her long neck encased in whaleboned net and her lofty head topped off with feathers.

    Black Oxen Gertrude Franklin Horn Atherton 1902

  • Her little basque, cut after her aunt's own pattern, rigorously whaleboned, with long straight seams, opened in front; she wore a dimity ruffle, a square blue bow to fasten it, and a brown gingham apron.

    Young Lucretia and Other Stories Mary Eleanor Wilkins Freeman 1891

  • Lucretia had put on the prim whaleboned basque of her best dress wrong side before; she had buttoned it in the back.

    Young Lucretia and Other Stories Mary Eleanor Wilkins Freeman 1891

  • Such whaleboned - doublet rascals, that owe more to laundresses and seamsters for laced linen than all their race from their great grand-father to this their reign, in clothes were ever worth.

    The Noble Spanish Soldier Thomas Dekker 1602

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.