n. In Roman antiquity, a garment like a shirt or gown worn by either sex, very often an undergarment: hence a general term applied to garments, of all periods and materials, which are worn depending from the neck, whether girded at the waist or not, or kept in place by other garments worn outside of them, and whether such garments are long and full or short and scant.n. At the present time, a garment generally loose, but gathered or girded at the waist, worn by women, usually an outer garment; a sort of wrap or coat for street wear.n. Eccles., a vestment worn over the alb in the Roman Catholic Church and in some Anglican churches by the subdeacon or epistler at the celebration of the mass or holy communion.n. A military surcoat.n. In the British army, the ordinary fatigue-coat: applied usually to the coat of a private, but sometimes to that of an officer.n. A natural covering; an integument.