[f. STAY sb.2 + LACE sb.] A lace or cord used to draw together a woman’s stays or bodice.
1720. Swift, Proposal Use Irish Manuf., Misc. 1735, V. 204. I should rejoice to see a Stay-Lace from England be thought scandalous, and become a Topick for Censure.
1851. Mayhew, Lond. Labour, I. 323. Pins and needles, stay-laces, and such small articles as are light to carry.
1882. Caulfeild & Saward, Dict. Needlework, 460/2. Stay laces … are otherwise called Stay-cord, and are made of both cotton and linen.
Comb. 1889. Hardy, Mayor Casterbr., i. A buxom staylace dealer.
