WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Gus"set
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [F. gousset armpit, fob, gusset, dim. of gousse pod, husk; cf. It. guscio shell, or W. cwysed gore, gusset.]
Definition : 1. A small piece of cloth inserted in a garment, for the purpose of strengthening some part or giving it a tapering enlargement. Seam and gusset and band. Hood.

2. Anything resembling a gusset in a garment; as: (a) (Armor) A small piece of chain mail at the openings of the joints beneath the arms. (b) (Mach.) A kind of bracket, or angular piece of iron, fastened in the angles of a structure to give strength or stiffness; esp., the part joining the barrel and the fire box of a locomotive boiler.

3. (Her.)

Defn: An abatement or mark of dishonor in a coat of arms, resembling a gusset.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913