pantywaists

Noun

pantywaist (plural pantywaists)

1. (dated, informal) An undergarment composed, in part, of panties attached to a waistband.
   • Lace trimmed panty waists—50 cents.1929 April 29, “The Altman Sale of Children's Underwear”, in The New York Times, display advertisement, page 16
2. (derogatory, informal) An ineffectual, weak, or timid person, especially a boy or young man; a sissy.
   • Don't be misled by the British tendency to be soft-spoken and polite. The English language didn't spread across the oceans and over the mountains and jungles and swamps because these people were pantywaists.1943 January 24, Hal Borland, “'Baedekers' for Our Fighters: So you're going abroad, says Uncle Sam”, in The New York Times, page SM14

See all 3 meanings of pantywaist