1200–50; Middle English amice ( s ) < Old French amis, amys, plural of amit < Latin amictus mantle, cloak, equivalent to amic-, base of amicīre to wrap around ( am- ambi- + -ic-, combining stem of iacere to throw) + -tus noun suffix of verbal action (hence, originally the act of wrapping around)
late Middle English amisse < Middle French aumusse, aumuce < Spanish almucio < Latin almucia, almucium
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The neck was bare, the amice being as yet unknown; instead of the stole was what was called the orarium, a sort of handkerchief resting on the shoulders, and falling down on each side.
From Callista : a Tale of the Third Century by Newman, John Henry
"Should you be able to swear to the amice?"
From Tales of the Wonder Club, Volume II by Huth, Alexander
Deacon,* stole worn over left shoulder, maniple, but no amice and no girdle; wears instead of alb a surplice with full sleeves—an unusual combination.
From Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Wells A Description of Its Fabric and a Brief History of the Episcopal See by Dearmer, Percy
Now, amice, I won't harbour any ill feeling.
From A Friend of Caesar A Tale of the Fall of the Roman Republic. Time, 50-47 B.C. by Davis, William Stearns
Aug. 13th, amice cum Domino Edouardo Keleo de tribus illis votis.
From The Private Diary of Dr. John Dee And the Catalog of His Library of Manuscripts by Dee, John
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
