codpiece

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

noun (15th-16th century) a flap for the crotch of men's tight-fitting breeches

From cod (“bag, pouch, scrotum”) + piece.

The Codpiece of the Law. — Gargantua and Pantagruel, François Rabelais
Enter Magee Mor Matthew, a rugged rough rugheaded kern, in strossers with a buttoned codpiece, his nether stocks bemired with clauber of ten forests, a wand of wilding in his hand. — Ulysses, James Joyce
This wimpled, whining, purblind, wayward boy, This Signior Junior, giant-dwarf, Dan Cupid, Regent of love-rhymes, lord of folded arms, Th’ anointed sovereign of sighs and groans, Liege of all loiterers and malcontents, Dread prince of plackets, king of codpieces, Sole imperator, and great general Of trotting paritors—O my little heart! — Love's Labour's Lost, William Shakespeare

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