dalmatic

[dal-mat-ik]

noun

1. Ecclesiastical.,  a vestment worn over the alb by the deacon, such as at the celebration of the Mass, and worn by bishops on some occasions, such as at a coronation.

2. a vestment similar to a deacon's, worn by a sovereign of England at their coronation.

dalmatic

/ dælˈmætɪk /

noun

1. a wide-sleeved tunic-like vestment open at the sides, worn by deacons and bishops

2. a similar robe worn by a king at his coronation

Word History and Origins

Origin of dalmatic¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Anglo-French dalmatike, from Late Latin Dalmatica (vestus) (“Dalmatian garment)”; Dalmatia, -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of dalmatic¹

C15: from Late Latin dalmatica ( vestis ) Dalmatian (robe) (originally made of Dalmatian wool)

Example Sentences

On top of that, for the crowning moment itself—the presentation as she sat on the “seat” made for King Edward I in 1300, to receive golden orb, scepters, and armbands signifying wisdom and sincerity—were placed a dalmatic of gold cloth, then yet another massive robe of purple velvet and ermine.

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Louis le Jeune, on the crowning of his son Philip Augustus, ordered that the young prince should be clad in a blue dalmatic and blue shoes, sewn with golden fleurs-de-lys, a flower whose name, as “Fleur de Loys,” played upon that of his own, and possibly upon his epithet name of Florus.

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Its origin is almost certainly the richly embroidered dalmatic that formed part of the consular insignia, which under the name of sakkos became a robe of state special to the emperors.

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Dalmatic and tunicle are now, however, practically identical in shape and size; though, strictly, the latter should be somewhat smaller and with narrower arms.

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England, France, Spain and Germany, dalmatic and tunicle are now no longer tunics, but scapular-like cloaks, with an opening for the head to pass through and square lappets falling from the shoulder over the upper part of the arm; in Italy, on the other hand, though open up the side, they still have regular sleeves and are essentially tunics.

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