WordNet
n. an undergarment with shirt and drawers in one piece [syn: union suit]
Wikipedia
Long underwear, also called long johns or thermal underwear, is a style of two-piece underwear with long legs and long sleeves that is normally worn during cold weather. It is commonly worn by people under their clothes in cold countries.
In the United States, it is usually made from a cotton or cotton- polyester-blend fabric with a box-weave texture, although some varieties are also made from flannel, particularly the union suit, while many newer varieties are made from polyester, such as the Capilene trade name.
European manufacturers use wool blends or even 100% wool, usually Merino or other high-quality wool. Some models might include a thin layer of polyester to transport moisture away from the skin. Wool, in addition to being fire retardant, provides highly effective insulation and will keep its insulating properties even when wet, as opposed to cotton. In central Europe in Poland there is still one company called EWAX, which manufactures traditional cotton Long Johns.
The type known as "thermal underwear" is made from two-ply fabric of either a wool layer and an artificial fibre, only wool or – again mostly in the U.S. – two layers of only artificial fibres, which uses trapped body heat to insulate against cold air.
Usage examples of "long underwear".
She shook out the mesh long underwear, full-length pants and shirt, long-sleeved coveralls, pairs of socks meant to be worn one over the other, and lightweight, tough, high-tech boots designed to keep feet dry and right side up no matter what the conditions.
I stuff Henrys shirt and long underwear and jeans and socks and boots and extra coat and mittens and a blanket into a shopping bag, wake Alba and stuff her into her coat and boots, fly into my coat and out the door.
Much, much later, Petey pawed through the bottom drawer of his dresser, through long underwear, big winter socks and less-loved pajamas looking for his Hyper-Cat PJs.
The waistband of his long underwear had lost its elasticity and spilled out over the top of his pants.
The woman wore heavy jeans and a sweatshirt and what looked like long underwear.
Got long underwear, top and bottom, shirt, sweatshirt, pants, sweat socks, boots.
A few took off their pants, too, but only the few who possessed long underwear.
Sister Beatrice was standing in her long underwear with her back to Johann.
The bulky long underwear Duke had made for her had a slippery, almost obscenely soft fabric that simplified the job of doffing her space suit in zero gravity.
Slowly, giving herself time to enjoy the unveiling, she peeled the long underwear down his legs.
He wore a blue parka over jeans and a cable-knit sweater, pac boots, and expedition-weight polypropylene long underwear.
His uniform jacket and long underwear were soaked with slime, and he'd lost one thermal sock, as well as both boots and his trousers.
Abdu and I pulled up at its base a few days later for the second of our grand ascents, I had brought enough backup clothes to cross the Arctic--waterproofs, woollen sweater, jacket, gloves, spare trousers, and long underwear.