cilice

cilice

A monk wears a cilice under his robe.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A garment of coarse cloth made from goat's hair: "cilice" refers to a shirt or belt made of rough, uncomfortable material, historically worn as a form of religious penance or self-mortification.
    • A hairshirt: By extension, "cilice" can denote any similar garment or object (such as a chain or band) worn to cause discomfort for ascetic or penitential purposes.
Usage Examples
  • (A garment of coarse cloth for religious penance.)
  • (A hairshirt worn for ascetic discipline.)
Advanced Usage

  • "to wear a cilice": to engage in self-imposed suffering or discomfort for religious or moral reasons.

    • She decided to wear a cilice during Lent as a personal sacrifice. (She adopted a hairshirt as a penitential practice.)

  • "cilice of the soul": a metaphorical usage referring to emotional or psychological hardship endured for spiritual growth.

    • His constant self-criticism became a cilice of the soul. (His mental suffering functioned like a hairshirt for inner discipline.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Cilician (adj): relating to Cilicia, an ancient region in Asia Minor, but not directly related to the word "cilice."
  • Hairshirt (n): a synonym for "cilice," specifically a shirt made of animal hair.
    • The penitent wore a hairshirt to atone for his sins. (A garment of coarse hair for penance.)
Synonyms
  • Hairshirt: a coarse shirt made of hair, worn for penance.
  • Penitential garment: clothing worn as a sign of repentance or self-denial.
  • Ascetic clothing: attire designed to cause discomfort for spiritual discipline.
Phrasal Verbs
  • None directly associated with "cilice" as a noun; it is rarely used as a verb or in phrasal constructions.
Related Idioms

  • "To wear a hairshirt": to voluntarily undergo discomfort or hardship, often for moral or religious reasons.

    • He felt guilty about his wealth, so he began to wear a hairshirt of minimalist living. (He adopted a lifestyle of self-denial.)

  • "Cilice of conscience": a metaphorical expression for guilt or remorse that causes mental suffering.

    • Her betrayal became a cilice of conscience she could not remove. (Her guilt acted like a hairshirt on her mind.)