ETYM Latin tunica: cf. French tunique.
Straight tubular garment, usually sleeveless, which may be tied around the waist or left loose.
Originally a short dress worn by the ancient Greeks and Romans, the tunic reappeared in the 19th century as part of Amelia Bloomer's dress reform, worn over loose trousers with gathered ankles. In the early 20th century it helped create the long, slender lines fashionable before 1914 in the designs of Paul Poiret. Short tunic dresses worn over longer versions became popular again in the 1960s. Tunics are a common part of girls' school uniform, and short, loose tunics are also worn for dancing.
1. An enveloping or covering membrane or layer of body tissue; SYN. tunica, adventitia.
2. Any of a variety of loose fitting cloaks extending to the hips or knees.