full-dress uniform
1
6.0
- noun
- /fʊl drɛs ˈjunɪfɔrm/
- Formal
:
uniforme de gala
- The other was a magnificent marine sergeant, six foot three or four, in full-dress uniform.
- wore his full-dress uniform
- guys in full-dress uniform
Examples
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The officers were all in full-dress uniform during the ceremony.
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Only 600 tickets were allotted, but thousands, thousands lined the streets and rooftops, citizens, senators, congressmen, diplomats, officers, all in their full dress uniforms.
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Full dress uniform.
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This guy got into full dress uniform, stood in the middle of that room, drew a nickel-plated pistol from his holster, and fired a bullet into his mouth.
Fiction book (1992) -
In full dress uniform, Vanderhorst was the instantaneous center of attention when he, Jemma, and Korry entered.
Fiction book (1997) -
Once a month, decked out in full dress uniform, the chief of staff and the heads of the army, navy, air force, and national police, along with a sixth general acting as the council's general secretary, meet with Turkey's president, prime minister, and the ministers of defense, foreign affairs, and the interior.
Academic text (2000) -
A portrait of Franklin in full-dress uniform hung in the Narwhal's cabin. Franklin, Franklin, Zeke had said, as he asked the men for money.
Fiction book (1999) -
We turned out, standing barefoot on the frosty ground, feet speared by tiny cacti invisible to see; Ned in full dress uniform by the light of the moon.
Fiction book (1994) -
155 In full dress uniforms, Colonel Sutch and General Feversham work Harry over—adjusting his collar: General Feversham.
Fiction book (2002) -
As he arrived at the base, he noticed several soldiers in full-dress uniform preparing for the event.
Synonyms
8
4.1
A formal uniform worn by people in the military for ceremonies and official events
8
2.9
Clothes that soldiers and other people in the armed forces wear to show who they are and for official duties
5
6.1
A formal military uniform worn for ceremonies and official events
1
6.0
Formal white uniforms people in the military wear for ceremonies
How Formal
- Formal
1
6.0
- Specialized
8
4.1
8
2.9
- Specialized
1
6.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
full-dress + uniform
The meaning is directly compositional: 'uniform' is clothes for an organization, and 'full-dress' (literally 'full' + 'dress') conveys the idea of being fully dressed or in formal/ceremonial attire. A B1 learner who knows 'full' and 'dress' can therefore infer this is the most formal type of uniform used for ceremonies.
Etymology
Full-dress uniform comes from soldiers and sailors putting on their complete, most formal clothes—the full-dress uniform—for a special 'ceremony', often with medals and decorations on show. So, it now means the very formal uniform worn for official events.