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Bolero

Apparel
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A short, fitted, open-front jacket ending at or above the waist, originally associated with Spanish dress and later women’s fashion.

Detailed Definition
A bolero is a cropped jacket, often decorative and sometimes inspired by Spanish dress, with little or no front fastening. Because it leaves much of the torso visible, it can create an image of poise, flirtation, or theatrical movement. A poem may use its embroidered sleeves or brief silhouette to frame a dancer, a festival figure, or someone dressed for a moment that will soon pass.
Example
Example in poetry:
“The dancer’s bolero flashed like a small red wing,” uses the garment’s short shape and movement in an image; A poet may place a black bolero against a moonlit dress for contrast; “Her bolero carried the warmth of a vanished festival,” makes clothing preserve an experience; The word bolero can also evoke music and dance, enriching a poem about motion.
Additional Notes
A bolero is notably cropped, often ending above the waist. It may be formal, decorative, or inspired by Spanish clothing, and its compact shape can suggest elegance or theatrical flair.
Other Meanings of “Bolero”
Also Known As
Short Cape Waistcoat Cape
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