A heel-length, linen garment with narrow sleeves that is tied at the hip with a girdle called the cincture. It's worn by the ordained cleric for the celebration of Mass and other service. It was originally the long tunic worn during the Roman empire. Now uniformly white in Western churches but any color in Eastern churches.

Alb (#), n. [OE. albe, LL. alba, fr. L. albus white. Cf. Album and Aube.]

A vestment of white linen, reaching to the feet, an enveloping the person; -- in the Roman Catholic church, worn by those in holy orders when officiating at mass. It was formerly worn, at least by clerics, in daily life.

 

© Webster 1913.

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