GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED IN CORSETRY

Abdomen.
The fleshy part of the front body from the waist down to the groin.
Abdominal Cavity.
The most important of the cavities of the trunk, from the corset fitter's point of view. It contains the stomach, intestines, liver, spleen, pancreas, and kidneys.
Abdominal Development.
Development of the abdomen beyond the normal line. It is considered more delicate to speak of a large or small abdominal development than of a large or small abdomen.
Abdomen, High.
Development of the abdomen beyond the normal line at the waist level.
Abdomen, Pendulous.
An accumulation of fat or a relaxed condition of the muscles causing a roll of flesh to hang over the groin.
All-in-one. See Corselette.
Belt.
Corset designed to control abdomen, buttocks, and upper thighs. According to current fashion, may extend over any portion of the body between diaphragm and middle thighs. May or may not fasten through. Also called Girdle.
Bandeau.
A lightweight, shallow type of brassiere. Brassiere. A support for the bust.
Brassiere, Deep.
A bust support which extends below the root of the breasts, perhaps as low as the waist. Suitable for heavy busts.
Bust.
General term used in referring to the upper part of the body including the breasts.
Bust, Dropped or Pendulous.
A condition of sagging in the breasts.
Bust Development.
Size of the bust. See note on delicacy under Abdominal Development.
Buttocks.
The soft fleshy portions of the body upon which we sit.
Chest Cavity.
Upper cavity of the trunk, above the diaphragm, containing the heart and lungs.
Corselette.
A garment combining the functions of both belt and brassiere–that is, covering the body from above the breasts to below the gluteal fold. Also called an All-in-one or One-piece foundation.
Diaphragm.
The large mushroom-shaped muscle dividing the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. The term is used, however, to mean the part of the front body between the breasts and the waist.
Elasticated.
Term used to describe those types of corsetry composed wholly or mainly of elastic fabrics.
Girdle. See Belt.
Gluteal Fold.
The fold between the buttocks and the thighs at the back. Groin. The fold at which the thighs join the lower abdomen at the front.
Hip-spring.
The difference between the measurements of the waist and the hips.
One piece Garment. See Corselette.
Pantie-girdle.
An elasticated girdle with crotch to separate the thighs. Its particular advantage is that it can be worn without stockings and not ride up the body because it is anchored by the crotch-piece. Also, it permits great freedom of movement, and on both these counts is highly popular with juniors and women who engage in sports.
Pelvic Cavity.
The lowest of the three body cavities, containing bladder, rectum, and reproductive organs.
Pelvis.
The bony framework of the lower part of the abdomen.
Posture, Postural Tone.
The balance with which the body is held. Postural tone is said to be good when the stresses on the various muscles are correctly balanced so as to hold bones and organs in correct position.
Roll-on.
A circular elasticated belt without bones, which can be stepped into and rolled up the body.
Semi-Step-in.
Belt or girdle of which the fastening extends only part of the way down, so that the garment has to be stepped into. A Step-in has no fastening.
Thigh-spread.
The difference in the measurement round the thighs when changing from a standing to a sitting position.
Torso.
The part of the body between the root of the breasts and the hipbones. Trunk Length. The length "as the crow flies" from the shoulder to the gluteal fold.
CHAPTER I