Dalmatic
/dælˈmætɪk/noun
A long, wide-sleeved vestment worn by deacons and sometimes bishops in Christian liturgy.
Did you know?The dalmatic began as a secular garment associated with Dalmatia before being adopted into Christian ceremonial dress, showing how Roman fashion could become ecclesiastical symbolism.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
δαλματική (dalmatikē)
“A Dalmatian garment or robe”
Roman Era
Latin
dalmatica
“A loose, richly decorated robe associated with Dalmatia”
Late Antiquity
Latin
dalmaticus
“Of or relating to Dalmatia”
12th Century
Old French
dalmatique
“A liturgical robe”
14th Century
English
dalmatic
“A ceremonial vestment worn by Christian clergy”
Modern English
English
dalmatic
“A wide-sleeved liturgical vestment, especially for a deacon”