[a. OF. corsage (12th c. in Littré), f. cors body: see -AGE.]
† 1. Bodily condition as to size and shapeliness.
1481. Caxton, Myrr., II. vi. 72. Another beste of moche fayr corsage or shappe of body.
1658. Ussher, Ann., 387. He thought the greatness of their stature and corsage, would be a terrour to the Romans.
† 2. The body as distinct from the limbs; the bust. Obs.
1510–20. Compl. too late Maryed (1862), 10. Gorgyously shewynge her fayre corsage.
1600. Puttenham, in Nichols, Progr. Q. Eliz., III. 476. What ells dame nature coolde devise To frame a face, and corsage paragon.
b. Of a bird. [A Gallicism.]
1869. trans. Pochet’s Universe (1871), 65. The sapphire and the emerald gleam on their wings and corsages.
3. The ‘body’ of a woman’s dress; a bodice (commonly pronounced as Fr.).
1857. A. Harris & E. Falconer, Rose of Castile, Muleteer’s Song. Many a loving heart when near Doth trembling ’neath its corsage bound.
1867. Nation, 3 Jan., 14/1. The same trimming was continued on the corsage and in the head-dress.
1883. Truth, 31 May, 769/2. The ball dress has a train and corsage of turquoise blue satin.
