Cotta

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A garment commonly worn in religious settings, characterized by its length and design traditionally associated with ceremonial roles
2. A specific type of attire often utilized in spiritual contexts, typically featuring a knee-length style suited for various ceremonies
3. A knee-length ceremonial robe worn by clergy during religious services

Etymology: The word "cotta" comes from Medieval Latin, where it named a clerical tunic. That garment was itself a relative of the ordinary tunic worn across medieval Europe, and the religious sense is what English inherited: a short, loose white vestment worn by clergy and choristers over a cassock, typically with wide sleeves and a square-cut hem that falls only to the waist or hips. The contrast with its robe-like cousins is the useful detail here. A cassock runs to the ankle and an alb reaches the floor, while the cotta stops short, which is why it is the garment a choir boy or a server can move about in easily. The word therefore marks a difference in length within a family of vestments rather than a different kind of robe altogether.

Synonyms: garment, tunic, robe, cloak, cape