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Dictionary:

sweater

  (swĕt'ər) pronunciation
n.
  1. A jacket or pullover made especially of knit, crocheted, or woven wool, cotton, or synthetic yarn.
  2. One that sweats, especially profusely.
  3. Something that induces sweating; a sudorific.

 
 
Word Tutor: sweater
pronunciation

IN BRIEF: A knitted outer garment for the upper part of the body.

pronunciation If you are a dog and your owner suggests that you wear a sweater ... suggest that he wear a tail. — Fran Lebowitz, U.S. journalist.

 
Wikipedia: sweater
A jumper from Marks & Spencer
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A jumper from Marks & Spencer

A sweater (also called pullover, jumper, and jersey) is a relatively heavy garment intended to cover the torso and arms of the human body (though, in some cases, sweaters are made for dogs and occasionally other animals) and typically to be worn over a shirt, blouse, T-shirt or other top. Sweaters tend to be, and in earlier times always were, made from wool (typically of sheep, though possibly of alpaca or other type); however, they can be made of cotton, synthetic fibres, or some combination thereof. Sweaters are maintained by washing, and the use of a lint roller.

Types and design

Navy "Wooly Pully" (woolen pullover), rib-knit
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Navy "Wooly Pully" (woolen pullover), rib-knit
Seaman's jumper, woolen, hand-knitted
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Seaman's jumper, woolen, hand-knitted

The term "sweater" is a catch-all for various types of garments. A fundamental division is between a cardigan (which opens in front) and a pullover (which does not). If the sweater has no sleeves, it is generally called a vest.

Even within these groups, there is a great variety of design. All the various types of necklines are found, although the V-neck and the crew neck are the most popular. The waistline is typically at hip height, but can vary significantly. The sleeve length is likewise variable, ranging from small cap sleeves to short sleeves to three-quarter sleeves to full-length sleeves. The front seam of a cardigan allows for further possibilities, such as a surplice or a bolero jacket. All the hems may have various types of borders, such as picots, ribbing (knitting) and frills.

One advantage of sweaters is that they conform well to the body without requiring the tailoring as woven garments. For example, shaping such as darts, flares and gores — commonly found in woven blouses, a comparable garment — are rarely needed in sweaters, thanks to the elasticity and drape of knitted fabrics. Even when such shaping is needed, it can be knit into the fabric itself, without requiring seams. However, this very elasticity makes it necessary to use more care when washing.

Nomenclature

If made of thick cotton, it is usually known as a sweatshirt. A related garment, a jumper with an open front fastened by buttons or a zipper, is called a cardigan. A hockey sweater was, in the early days of ice hockey, recognisable as what people in the 2000s would call a sweater, but has since evolved into a sort of jersey.

In British English, a sweater is called a pullover, sweater, jersey, or jumper, this last term being the most common name in British English and Australian English. In South African English, a sweater is always called a jersey. Sleeveless pullovers are known in American English and Australian English as vests. In British English they are known as Tank tops.

Customary wear

Thin sweaters may be worn tucked in to the waistband of trousers; but otherwise, men's sweaters are to be worn untucked. Notable individuals seen wearing their sweaters tucked include Cary Grant, Gary Cooper, Russ Salzberg, Sylvester McCoy, and Hadley Eliker. The most widely known is Bill Cosby, for whom the neologism Cosby sweater was coined. [1]

Sweaters are normally worn with a dress shirt underneath (and optionally a Tie) This has the advantage of allowing the wearer to have the option of removing the sweater when it is uncomfortably warm and still look presentable in many situations with only the shirt.

Some women's sweaters are meant to be worn belted; sometimes, a belt or drawstring is knitted into the sweater itself.

In ice hockey, the uniforms that present day players wear are sometimes referred to as "sweaters" although they more resemble the jerseys worn in other sports. This is due to the fact that original uniforms were simply sweaters with the team's logo stiched on the front. However, as technology changed, so did the uniforms as actual sweaters absorbed too much moisture and became weighed down and bulky throughout the course of a game.

See also


 
Translations: Translations for: Sweater

Dansk (Danish)
n. - sweater, udbytter

Nederlands (Dutch)
trui, sweater, iemand die zweet

Français (French)
n. - pull, lainage

Deutsch (German)
n. - Pullover

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - εκμεταλλευτής του ανθρώπινου μόχθου, (ενδυμ.) πουλόβερ

Italiano (Italian)
maglione

Português (Portuguese)
n. - pulôver (m)

Русский (Russian)
свитер, потогонное средство, эксплуататор

Español (Spanish)
n. - jersey, suéter

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - ylletröja, person som svettas mkt, utsugare, svettdrivande medel

中文(简体) (Chinese (Simplified))
毛衣, 运动衫, 毛线衫

中文(繁體) (Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 毛衣, 運動衫, 毛線衫

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 노동 착취자, 발한자

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - セーター, 労働搾取者

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) سترة أو كنزة‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮אפודה, סוודר, מעביד בפרך‬


 
Best of the Web: sweater

Some good "sweater" pages on the web:


American Sign Language
commtechlab.msu.edu
 
 
 

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Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2007. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.  Read more
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eSpindle provides personalized spelling and vocabulary tutoring online; free trial Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Sweater" Read more
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