Forms: 5 stomakere, stomechere, stomachyr, 5–6 stomachere, 5–6, 8 stomager, 6 stomackger, (8 stomatcher), 6– stomacher [app. f. STOMACH sb. + -ER1: but see below.
The alleged F. estomachier appears to be recorded only by Palsgrave. If it be genuine, and the source of the Eng. word, it would account for the pronunciation, which is given in the pronouncing dictionaries of Kenrick (1773), Sheridan (1780), Walker (1791), Smart (1836), Worcester (1860), in Cassell’s Encyclopædic Dict. (1888), and in Webster’s Dict. (1828–86). The genuineness of this pronunciation is attested by the spellings stomager (1450, 1727), stomackger (1575), stomatcher (17[?]), and stomacher (c. 1450 onwards): the spelling with k is evidenced only once (c. 1466), though the word occurs frequently in writers who wrote the word stomach with k. It is not impossible that estomachier was really formed in late Anglo-French, and is the source of the Eng. word. For the sense cf. the misuse of stomach for ‘chest’ (STOMACH sb. 3).]
† 1. ? A waistcoat or pectoral of mail. Obs. rare–1.
1450. in Rep. MSS. Ld. Middleton (1911), 114. I will … my felowe John Shipton for to have my dubbelet of mayell, my stomager of mayell, and a salet.
† 2. A kind of waistcoat worn by men. Obs.
c. 1450. Coventry Myst. (Shaks. Soc.), 241. A stomachere of clere reynes.
1466. Mann. & Househ. Exp. (Roxb.), 382. Item, the same day my mastyr paid fore a stomakere of velvet, ij.s. iiij.d.
1478. Paston Lett., III. 237. I beseche yow to sende me a hose clothe … and a stomechere and ij schyrtes.
1508–13. Bk. Keruynge, in Babees Bk. (1868), 282. Than warme his petycote, his doublet, and his stomachere.
1530. Palsgr., 276/2. Stomacher for one’s brest, estomachier.
1575. Turberv., Falconrie, 16. The furryers doe vse their skynnes for stomackgers, to guard and defend the brest against the force of feruent colde.
1617. Moryson, Itin., III. 167. They use large stomachers of furre or lambe skinnes.
a. 1625. Fletcher, Mad Lover, III. i. Talking to an old man is like a stomacher, It keeps his blood warm.
1693. Congreve, Double Dealer, III. i. (1694), 33. The first Favour he receiv’d from her was a piece of an old Scarlet Petticoat for a Stomacher.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, May 1645. (Lucca), Embroidred stomachers generaly worn by gentlemen in these countries.
1702. Baynard, Cold Baths, II. (1709), 375. He wore a quilted Stomacher.
1725. trans. Pancirollus’ Rerum Mem., I. IV. ii. 147. They wore also Stomachers, but in cold Weather most commonly woollen Shirts.
† b. A medicated cloth applied to the chest. Obs.
1577. Frampton, Joyfull Newes, I. 7. In griefes of the Stomake, it [this plaister] doth a merueilous effect, applied after the maner of a Stomacher.
1584. Cogan, Haven Health, xlviii. 56. The herbe … put in a lynnen bagge and laide as a stomager next the skinne comforteth a colde stomacke well.
1682. Digby’s Chym. Secr., II. 203. Take Wormwood…; of these make a Stomacher, and apply it.
3. An ornamental covering for the chest (often covered with jewels) worn by women under the lacing of the bodice.
1535. Coverdale, Isa. iii. 24. Instead of a stomacher [so 1560 (Geneva), 1611, 1884 (Revised)], a sack cloth.
1566. Engl. Ch. Furniture (Peacock, 1866), 56. Wherof his wief made of one a stomacher for her wench.
1580. Lyly, Euphues Eng., To Ladies (Arb.), 222. If a Tailour make your gowne too little, you couer his fault with a broad stomacher.
1611. Shaks., Wint. T., IV. iii. 226. Golden Quoifes, and Stomachers For my Lads, to giue their deers.
1653. H. Cogan, Diodorus Sic., 161. The Goddesse Minerva … killed this cruell monster, and of her skinne made her selfe a stomacher.
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, III. 94/2. The Stomacher is that peece as lieth under the lacing or binding on of the Body of the Gown.
1702. Lond. Gaz., No. 3806/8. Lost…, a Diamond Stomacher with a row of Rose Diamonds down the middle.
c. 1710. Celia Fiennes, Diary (1888), 252. Their stomatchers some were all Diamonds.
1727. Dorrington, Philip Quarll, 163. Which seem’d to adorn her Bosom far more than the richest Stomager made of Diamonds or Pearls could do.
1731. Gentl. Mag., I. 289. Sometimes the stomacher rises almost to the chin. Ibid. (1737), VII. 513/2. The Princess of Wales had on an exceeding rich Stomacher.
1761. Brit. Mag., II. 446. The rich diamond stomacher for our intended queen is quite finished.
1837. Dickens, Pickw., xlix. An old-fashioned green velvet dress, with a long waist and stomacher.
1868. Morn. Star, 7 March. Ornaments: Diamond necklace and stomacher.
1880. Cassell’s Family Mag., VI. 758/2. Several of the winter dresses are laced in front over a stomacher.
attrib. 1753. Lond. Mag., Sept., 396/2. Before, for your breast, pin a stomacher bib on.
† b. transf.
1611. Shaks., Cymb., III. iv. 86. Away, away Corrupters of my Faith, you [sc. letters that she had carried in her bosom] shall no more Be Stomachers to my heart.
1613. Donne, Epithalam., 8. The houshold Bird with the red stomacher.
1717. J. Dennis, Orig. Lett. (1721), I. 33. You look full over Box Hill, and see the Country beyond it,… and, over the very Stomacher of it, see St. Paul’s at five and twenty Miles Distance.
