Definition

Noun: A mourning band is a strip of black cloth, typically made of crepe or other dark material, worn on a person's arm or hat. It is a traditional symbol of grief and respect, indicating that the wearer is in a period of mourning following a death.

Usage

A mourning band is worn as a visible, public sign of bereavement. It is most commonly associated with formal or historical contexts. * He wore a mourning band on his sleeve for a month after his father's passing. * In the 19th century, it was customary for men to wear a mourning band on their hats.

Advanced Usage

• The practice of wearing a mourning band has become less common in many modern cultures but may still be observed during state funerals, by military personnel, or within certain professions and communities as a mark of respect.
• The width and duration of wearing a mourning band could historically signify the wearer's relationship to the deceased.

Variants and Related Words

• Armband: A more general term for a band worn around the upper arm, which can be for mourning (a black armband) or for other purposes like identification or protest.
• Crape / Crepe: A type of crinkled fabric, often black, traditionally used to make mourning clothes and bands.

Synonyms

• Black armband
• Mourning armlet

Related Idioms or Phrases

• To be in mourning: The state of grieving a loss, for which a mourning band is an outward symbol.
  • The entire town was in mourning, and many men wore a mourning band.

Noun

1. a black band worn by a man (on the arm or hat) as a sign of mourning