n. A liturgical vestment consisting of an oblong piece of white linen worn around the neck and shoulders and partly under the alb. [Middle English, probably from Old French amis, pl. of amit, from Latin amictus, mantle, from past participle of amicīre, to wrap around : am-, ambi-, around; see AMBI- + iacere, to throw; see yē- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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