raiment

American  

[rey-muhnt] / ˈreɪ mənt /

noun

1. clothing; apparel; attire.

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raiment British  

/ ˈreɪmənt /

noun

1. archaic attire; clothing; garments

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Etymology

Origin of raiment

1350–1400; Middle English rayment, aphetic variant of arrayment. See array, -ment

Explanation

Raiment is an old-fashioned word for clothing, particularly fancy clothing, like ladies who always wore their best raiment when calling on friends. Raiment is formal clothing. It comes from the Old French word areer or "to array," which describes dressing in decorative clothing, or adorning yourself in the very best. The word raiment has mostly gone out of use, much like the rare practice of getting very dressed up.

Example Sentences

And can we not dress him instead in Raiment of Silk, and teach him to dance the Minuet—and, the dance over, bid him bow and be GONE?

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson

Raiment was an after thought, the mask of a tainted soul, born of original sin.

From Gov. Bob. Taylor's Tales by Taylor, Robert L.

Then, in faithfully following him, he will teach us to be content with Food and Raiment, without respect to the Customs or Honours of this World.

From John Woolman's Journal by Woolman, John

Raiment and food enough for me from the King of fair fame, And I to be sitting for a while praying God in every place.

From Ancient Irish Poetry by Various

He is Bread of Life, and Water for cleansing, and Raiment to put on, and Staff for leaning upon, and Shepherd, and Comforter.”

From The White Rose of Langley A Story of the Olden Time by Holt, Emily Sarah