semi-nudeadj.
a. Half naked.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > wearing clothing > nakedness or state of being unclothed > [adjective] > semi-naked
half-naked1483
semi-nude1856
1856 W. H. Smyth Descr. Catal. Roman Family Coins 209 A seminude Victoria alata in a rapid biga.
1880 ‘Ouida’ Moths I. i. 3 She had floated and bobbed and swum and splashed semi-nude.
1886 Guide Exhib. Galleries Brit. Mus. 110 A semi-nude figure of a saint holding an ensign.
b. Botany (see quot. 1849).
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > part of plant > reproductive part(s) > seed > [adjective] > half-exposed
semi-nude1849
1849 J. H. Balfour Man. Bot. §576 In mignonette, the seed-vessel opens early, so as to expose the seeds, which are called seminude.
1861 R. Bentley Man. Bot. i. iv. 328 There are some plants in which the seeds become partially naked in the course of development..in which cases they are termed seminude.
Derivatives
ˌsemi-ˈnudity n. the condition of being half naked; concrete a semi-nude figure.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > wearing clothing > nakedness or state of being unclothed > [noun] > semi-nakedness
semi-nudity1859
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > wearing clothing > nakedness or state of being unclothed > [noun] > semi-nakedness > one who
semi-nudity1859
1859 G. A. Sala Twice round Clock (1861) 417 The glittering semi~nudities gyrating here.
1896 Daily News 12 June 5/1 Then there were the Revolutionary semi-nudity, and the sham Greek dress.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online June 2019).
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adj.1849