DictionaryhoseLeg coverings
noun

hose

Close-fitting garments covering the feet and legs.

She wears sheer hose with her dress and black shoes.

Etymology

Old English hosa named a covering for the leg. The garment sense preserves that older meaning and predates the familiar use for a flexible tube.

More examples

  • Support hose help keep his legs comfortable during long shifts.
  • The dancer pulls on a pair of white hose.
  • A small snag in her hose turns into a run.

Forms

hose

hosiery noun — Stockings, socks, and other knitted leg coverings.

Similar words

stockings
Usually separate coverings for each leg, rather than one garment.
tights
Usually cover both legs and the waist in one piece.
socks
Usually cover only the feet and lower legs.