bodice ripper

== English == === Alternative forms === bodiceripper (rare), bodice-ripper === Etymology === From the fact that the female protagonists in such novels would often have their bodices (blouses or corsets) removed with some force before sexual activity commenced. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈbɒdɪs ˌɹɪpə/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈbɑdɪs ˌɹɪpɚ/ Hyphenation: bod‧ice rip‧per === Noun === bodice ripper (plural bodice rippers) (informal) A romantic novel, usually in a historical setting, with frank depictions of sexual activity, especially one in which the female protagonist is seduced; (by extension) a film, television programme, etc., featuring such activity. Synonym: hysterical historical ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== === Further reading === bodice ripper on Wikipedia.Wikipedia “bodice-ripper, n.” under “bodice, n.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1887 (1997 draft addition). “bodice-ripper, n.”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.