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leggings

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

Close-fitting leg coverings extending from the ankle to the thigh or waist, worn for warmth, support, or fashion, appearing in modern poetry as a symbol of casual comfort and athletic ease.

Detailed Definition
Leggings are a ubiquitous modern garment, often made of stretchy fabrics like spandex or cotton, and their poetic treatment is largely contemporary. They are associated with fitness, yoga, and informal wear, and their sleek line emphasizes the leg's shape. In poetry, leggings appear in scenes of urban life, gyms, and home lounging, often worn by women and young people. Their comfort is a frequent theme—the freedom to move and the relaxation they provide. In love poetry, leggings can be a garment of domestic intimacy, worn by a partner on a quiet morning. In poems about fashion and identity, leggings represent a shift toward casualization and the blending of activewear with daily dress. Their tight fit also invites descriptions of the body and movement.
Example
Example in poetry:
"Her leggings of black spandex were the armor of the urban warrior"; "He pulled on his leggings and felt the cold air on his ankles"; "The leggings' stretch held her like a second skin, a promise of movement"; "She wore leggings under her dress, a secret of comfort in a world of formality"; "The leggings, patterned with geometric shapes, were a map of her interests"; "He rolled his leggings down and stepped into the river"
Additional Notes
Leggings are a ubiquitous modern garment, often made of stretchy fabrics like spandex or cotton, and their poetic treatment is largely contemporary. They are associated with fitness, yoga, and informal wear, and their sleek line emphasizes the leg's shape. In poetry, leggings appear in scenes of urban life, gyms, and home lounging, often worn by women and young people. Their comfort is a frequent theme—the freedom to move and the relaxation they provide. In love poetry, leggings can be a garment of domestic intimacy, worn by a partner on a quiet morning. In poems about fashion and identity, leggings represent a shift toward casualization and the blending of activewear with daily dress. Their tight fit also invites descriptions of the body and movement. Related terms include tights, hose, and pants. Students should note the leggings' contemporary associations with comfort, activity, and informality.
Also Known As
leg guards chausses lower limb coverings hosen
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