I. ˈgəsə̇t, usu -ə̇d.+V noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French gouchet, gousset piece of armor protecting the armpit, armpit, from gousse pod + -et
1.
a. : a piece of chain mail or plate at the openings of the joints in a suit of armor
b. : a usually triangular or diamond-shaped insert (as of cloth or leather) placed in a seam (as of a sleeve, pocketbook, glove) to give ease or expansibility ; also : a similar piece made by adding stitches at the heel of hose
c. : any V-shaped or triangular insert (as in a sail or skirt): as
(1) : an elastic insert in a shoe upper (as for providing a snug fit)
(2) or gusset tongue : bellows tongue
d. : a pleat or fold especially in bookbinding
2. : something resembling a gusset: as
a. : a gore of land
b.
(1) or gusset plate : a connecting or reinforcing plate that joins the truss members in a truss joint or fits at a joint of a frame structure or set of braces
(2) or gusset stay : a bracket or angular piece of iron for strengthening angles of a structure (as an airplane or a bridge)
3. : a pretended abatement in heraldry consisting of either side of a pall without the top opening
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to provide with, connect, or reinforce with a gusset