* A one-piece garment covering body and limbs, for wear when exercising, especially dancing.
- *Origin mid 1960s: blend of unit and (leot)ard.*
A leotard is defined as:
* A close-fitting one-piece dance or gymnastic costume covering the thighs or hips, typically worn by women or girls.
- *Origin: named after the French acrobat Jules Léotard (1842–70), who in 1859 performed on a flying trapeze wear such a costume.*
While both are body fitting one-piece garments, the distinction typically comes down to leg length. Leotards tend to have less leg coverage that the unitard.