scapular

¹ American  

[skap-yuh-ler] / ˈskæp jə lər /

adjective

1. of or relating to the shoulders or the scapula or scapulae.

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scapular ² American  

[skap-yuh-ler] / ˈskæp jə lər /

noun

scapulars plural

1. Ecclesiastical. a loose, sleeveless monastic garment, hanging from the shoulders.

2. two small pieces of woolen cloth, joined by strings passing over the shoulders, worn under the ordinary clothing as a badge of affiliation with a religious order, a token of devotion, etc.

3. Anatomy, Zoology. scapula.

4. Ornithology. one of the scapular feathers.

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scapular British  

/ ˈskæpjʊlə /

adjective

1. anatomy of or relating to the scapula

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noun

1. part of the monastic habit worn by members of many Christian, esp Roman Catholic, religious orders, consisting of a piece of woollen cloth worn over the shoulders, and hanging down in front and behind to the ankles

2. two small rectangular pieces of woollen cloth joined by tapes passing over the shoulders and worn under secular clothes in token of affiliation to a religious order

3. any of the small feathers that are attached to the humerus of a bird and lie along the shoulder

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• scapulars
  plural

Etymology

Origin of scapular¹

From the New Latin word scapulāris, dating back to 1680–90. See scapula, -ar ¹

Origin of scapular²

1475–85; < Medieval Latin scapulāre, noun use of neuter of scapulāris (adj.). See scapular ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

scapular scapulars

Tigers: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez is feeling slightly better after leaving Monday’s game in the fourth inning due to a left scapular spasm.

From Washington Times ● Sep. 20, 2023

At first, she didn't wear anything distinctive, but now she dresses in a scapular - a long garment suspended from the shoulders, a bit like a severe pinafore.

From BBC ● Dec. 22, 2016

A scapular, a miter, a tennis ball — objects that change hands simply to appease, charm and protect are simultaneously totems drenched in the bloody, intractable events that destroyed Aztec civilization.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 5, 2016

These motions involve rotation of the scapula around a point inferior to the scapular spine and are produced by combinations of muscles acting on the scapula.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

I had seen my sisters’ scapulars and knew that the bit of cloth at the end had a picture of the Virgin or St. Joseph on it, but this scapular held a small, flattened pouch.

From "Bless Me, Ultima" by Rudolfo Anaya

She had only magnets and scapulars of Santo Niño in stock; her statues and prayer cards were sold out.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 28, 2020

Devotional scapulars are formed of two tiny bits of cloth, worn next to the skin over the chest and back, designed to echo the full-length, apron-like garments which monks wear over their habits.

From BBC ● Feb. 15, 2016

Scattered in the scuffle were Holy Year medals, rosaries, scapulars and prayer leaflets.

From Time Magazine Archive

Mary Rommely had taken the scapulars to be blessed by the priest before she brought them over.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

Later, returning home, he regaled Blanca with accounts of the vulgarity of these stale, out-of-date families, whose daughters were still chaperoned and whose gentlemen wore scapulars.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende