mannequin

plural mannequins · alternative manikin · alternative mannikin · alternative obsolete manequin

1. A dummy, or life-size model of the human body, used for martial arts training or the fitting or displaying of clothes.

   With the idea that guests may feel lonely eating at a restaurant that can only reach 50% capacity[…]the restaurant will be placing mannequins throughout its dining rooms.

   2020 May 14, Lauren Aratani, “Model companions: restaurant solves social distancing dilemma with mannequins”, in The Guardian

   2 more examples

   At the same time, Mr. Bolton was intrigued by Mr. Sundsbo’s proposal to make models look like mannequins because it spoke to the blurring of boundaries — between good and evil, angels and demons, nature and technology, permanence and decay — that was a consistent theme of the McQueen collections.

   2011 April 13, Eric Wilson, “A Mannequin in Every Sense”, in The New York Times, →ISSN

   There was a time when a mannequin was the sculptural equivalent of fashion model. Like a fashion model, the mannequin was intended to reflect our social, professional and aesthetic aspirations.

   2013 August 16, Barbara Brownie, “Mangled mannequins – what happened to shop-window dummies?”, in The Guardian

2. A jointed model of the human body used by artists, especially to demonstrate the arrangement of drapery.
3. An anatomical model of the human body for use in teaching of e.g. CPR.
4. datedA person who models clothes.

   […]all of which made a perfect neutral background for the mannequins who moved around swiftly, gracefully, exhibiting one glorious creation after another.

   1951, Denise Robins, Heart of Paris, Ulverscroft, →ISBN, page 14

   1 more example

   She screamed out direction to various mannequins. "Clothilde, Virginie, quickly, my little ones, the little tailleur gris clair and the robe de soirée ‘soupir d'automne.’ Marcelle, my child, the little mimosa suit of crêpe de chine." It was a charming morning. Marcelle, Clothilde, Virginie, bored and scornful, passed slowly round, squirming and wriggling in the time-honoured fashion of mannequins.

   1928, Agatha Christie, The Mystery of the Blue Train

   Synonyms: fashion model