What does "shirtwaist" mean?

A woman's tailored blouse, buttoned down the front.

Shirtwaist

Common synonyms include: blouse, blouselike, button-front blouse, clothing factory, collar bodice dress, garment factory.

noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Noun

1
A woman's tailored blouse, buttoned down the front. US
"The straw seats of the car hovered on the edge of combustion; the woman next to me perspired delicately for a while into her white shirtwaist […]."
2
a blouse with buttons down the front wordnet

"The straw seats of the car hovered on the edge of combustion; the woman next to me perspired delicately for a while into her white shirtwaist […]."

From shirt + waist.