Laticlaves

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of ancient Roman garment characterized by its vertical stripes
2. A formal robe worn by senators in ancient Rome, distinguished by its broad purple stripes
3. An indication of rank and status in Roman society, often associated with political power

Etymology: Laticlaves is the plural of "laticlave", a noun for the broad purple stripe worn on the tunic of a Roman senator. The Latin name combines "lātus", meaning "broad", with "clāvus", meaning "purple stripe" (a word also used for the narrow stripes on equestrian tunics, which were called angusticlavia by contrast). The plural form refers to the robes themselves, the garments of senators as a group. The compound is Latin, but the English word is a borrowing from Late Latin forms "lāticlāvium" and "lāticlāvus", so it reached English as a learned term from classical scholarship rather than through everyday speech. Its use in English is confined almost entirely to historical writing about Rome.