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Dalmatʹica

or Dalmatʹic. A robe, open in front, reaching to the knees; worn at one time by deacons over the alb or stole, when the Eucharist was administered. It is in imitation of the regal vest of Dalmaʹtia, and was imported into Rome by the Emperor Comʹmodus. A similar robe was worn by kings, in the Middle Ages, at coronations and other great solemnities, to remind them of their duty of bountifulness to the poor. The right sleeve was plain and full, but the left was fringed and tasselled. Deacons had broader sleeves than sub-deacons, to indicate their duty to larger generosity; for a similar reason the sleeves of a bishop are larger than those of a priest. The two stripes before and behind were to show that the wearer should exercise his charity to all.

 

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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Daisy
Daisy (Solomon)
Daisy-cutter (A)
Daisy-roots
Dalai-Lama [grand lama]
Daldah
Dalgarno (Lord)
Dalgetty (Dugald)
Dalkey (King of)
Dalle (French)
Dalmatica
Dam
Damage
Damask Linen
Damaskeening
Dambea
Dame du Lac
Damiens Bed of Steel
Damn with Faint Praise
Damoclēs Sword
Damon and Musidora