breastpin: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Archaic, Historical
Quick answer
What does “breastpin” mean?
A decorative pin or brooch worn on the breast, typically to fasten a garment like a shirt, blouse, or scarf.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A decorative pin or brooch worn on the breast, typically to fasten a garment like a shirt, blouse, or scarf.
A now somewhat archaic term for any ornamental pin worn on the upper chest area; historically refers to a piece of jewellery with a pin and clasp, often containing a gemstone, portrait, or sentimental design.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally archaic in both varieties. 'Brooch' is the universal modern term.
Connotations
Connotes Victorian or Edwardian era fashion, antiquity, and possibly heirloom jewellery.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary use, found primarily in historical novels, antique descriptions, or period dramas.
Grammar
How to Use “breastpin” in a Sentence
[Subject] fastened her shawl with a breastpin.[Subject] wore a [Adjective] breastpin.A breastpin was pinned to her [Garment].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “breastpin” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- Her great-grandmother's pearl breastpin was kept in a velvet box.
- The gentleman's cravat was secured by a simple onyx breastpin.
American English
- The museum displayed a Civil War-era breastpin containing a daguerreotype.
- She inherited a delicate garnet breastpin from the 1880s.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used. Possibly in very specialised antique jewellery retail.
Academic
Used in historical, fashion, or material culture studies describing 19th-century attire.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
May appear in catalogues of historical artefacts or jewellery collections.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “breastpin”
- Using 'breastpin' in modern contexts instead of 'brooch'.
- Misspelling as 'breast pin' (though historically it was sometimes written as two words).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic term. The modern word is 'brooch'.
There is no functional difference. 'Breastpin' is an older, more descriptive term specifying its location, while 'brooch' is the general modern term.
Historically, yes. In the 19th century, men might use a breastpin to fasten a cravat, scarf, or shirt. The modern equivalent for men is often a 'tie pin', 'stick pin', or 'brooch'.
It is typically found as one word ('breastpin'), though historical texts may use the hyphenated 'breast-pin' or two words 'breast pin'.
A decorative pin or brooch worn on the breast, typically to fasten a garment like a shirt, blouse, or scarf.
Breastpin is usually formal, archaic, historical in register.
Breastpin: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbrɛstpɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbrɛstpɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A pin for the BREAST. It's a BROOCH, but the old word tells you exactly WHERE it goes.
Conceptual Metaphor
NOT APPLICABLE. The term is a literal compound (breast + pin).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the modern, commonly used term for a 'breastpin'?