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There are four meanings listed in OED's entry for the word pantywaist, one of which is considered derogatory. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. This word is used in North American English.
You can use the word pantywaist to talk about an ineffective, weak person — especially a man — although it's not very nice and is likely to hurt his feelings.
a person, especially a man, who is thought of as weak or cowardly (= not brave): Stop spoiling him or you'll turn him into a pantywaist. The mission was directed by some pantywaist colonel with fancy ideas. Synonym. sissy. Fewer examples.
noun. panty· waist ˈpan-tē-ˌwāst. 1. : a child's garment consisting of short pants buttoned to a waist. 2. : sissy. pantywaist adjective.
noun. 1. informal slang. a weak, effeminate man; sissy. 2. (formerly) a child's undergarment consisting of short pants and a shirt that buttoned together at the waist. adjective. 3. weak; fainthearted.
1. (Clothing & Fashion) a child's undergarment consisting of a shirt and pants buttoned together at the waist. 2. informal US a man or boy considered as childish, lacking in courage, etc. [C20: from panties + waist]
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pant·y·waist. (informal) a weak, cowardly, or unmasculine man or boy. Having a problem? The meaning of pantywaist. Definition of pantywaist. English dictionary and integrated thesaurus for learners, writers, teachers, and students with advanced, intermediate, and beginner levels.
