vestment

American  

[vest-muhnt] / ˈvɛst mənt /

noun

1. a garment, especially an outer garment.

2. Chiefly Literary. vestments, attire; clothing.

3. an official or ceremonial robe.

4. Ecclesiastical.

   1. one of the garments worn by the clergy and their assistants, choristers, etc., during divine service and on other occasions.

   2. one of the garments worn by the celebrant, deacon, and subdeacon during the celebration of the Eucharist.

5. something that clothes or covers like a garment.

   a mountaintop with a vestment of clouds.

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vestment British  

/ ˈvɛstmənt, vɛstˈmɛntəl /

noun

1. a garment or robe, esp one denoting office, authority, or rank

2. any of various ceremonial garments worn by the clergy at religious services

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Other Word Forms

• subvestment
  noun
• supervestment
  noun
• vestmental
  adjective
• vestmented
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of vestment

1250–1300; syncopated variant of Middle English vestiment < Medieval Latin vestīmentum priestly robe, Latin: garment, equivalent to vestī ( re ) to dress ( see vest) + -mentum -ment

Explanation

A vestment is a garment worn at special ceremonies by a clergy member. For example, a priest would wear a vestment in church, but out in the community, he would wear a shirt and pants. You know that a vest is a piece of clothing — a sleeveless shirt or sweater. Vest can also be a verb that describes putting on clothing, typically garments related to a religious ceremony. Both vest and vestment come from the Latin word vestimentum, meaning "clothing, clothes." Vestments include ankle-length robes called cassocks and strips of fabric that go around the neck, which are called stoles.

Example Sentences

Vestment producers, sculptors and rosary sellers satisfy a growing demand for religious articles, from Pope Francis fridge magnets to devotional candles, a business that generates billions in Italy alone.

From BBC • May 7, 2015

His Motions are slow with Sadness’s weight, forged Link on Link, a Vestment about his Chest.

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

Vestment of power in a congress of two houses.

From Studies in Civics by McCleary, J. T. (James Thompson)

That Light which is manifested is called the Vestment; for He Himself, the King, is the Light of all the innermost.

From Hebrew Literature by Wilson, Epiphanius

It is universally called "the Vestment" because it is the characteristic Eucharistic robe of all Christendom and has been so from the earliest age of the Church.

From The American Church Dictionary and Cyclopedia by Miller, William James

Related Words

• frock
• garb
• robe
• stole
• tunic