alb
(ælb)
Forms: 1–9 albe, 4–7 aube, 5 awbe, awlbe, 5–6 aulbe, 6– alb.
[OE. albe, ad. late L. alba, for tunica or vestis alba a white tunic or garment, a shirt. The form aube is a later adoption of the Fr. aube:—alba, and was the usual one in Eng. in the 14th and early 15th c.; in the 16th the two were mixed in aulbe, awlbe.]
A tunic or vestment of white cloth reaching to the feet, and enveloping the entire person; a variety of the surplice, but with close sleeves; worn by clerics in religious ceremonies, and by some consecrated kings.
| a 1100 Canons of K. Edgar in Anc. Laws II. 250 Þæt ælc preost hæbbe subuculam under his alban [dat. or acc. of albe]. c 1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 163 Te albe sol, and hire smoc hwit. 1340 Ayenb. 236 Ine þe aube and ine þe gerdle above. 1440 Promp. Parv., Awbe [1499 Awlbe]. Alba, poderis. 1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 359/2 Saynt Martyn appiered to hym cladde in an aulbe. 1566 Engl. Ch. Furn. (1866) 30 Item an alb—whearof wee have made a surples. 1606 G. W[oodcocke] Hist. Justine Ll iij, Hee [Sigismund]..was buryed in his regall Albe in Vngaria. 1649 Jer. Taylor Gt. Exemp. ii. viii. 68 Whose albes of baptisme served them also for a winding sheet. 1820 Scott Monast. xxxvii, Array yourselves also in alb and cope. 1846 Keble Lyra Innoc. (1873) 171 Who daily in the Holy Place wears the bright albe. |