Definition

1. Noun:
   • A monastic garment: A scapulary is a long, wide piece of woolen cloth worn over the shoulders with an opening for the head, forming part of the traditional habit of certain religious orders.
   • A sacramental item: In broader Christian devotional practice, a scapulary can also refer to a smaller item, typically two pieces of cloth connected by cords, worn under regular clothing as a sign of affiliation with a religious order or devotion.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The monk's habit included a brown scapulary that reached below his knees.
  • She received the scapulary of the Carmelite order as part of her initiation.

Advanced Usage

• "To be invested with the scapulary": To be formally given a scapulary as part of a religious ceremony, signifying enrollment in a spiritual association.
  • During the ceremony, the new members were invested with the scapulary.

Variants and Related Words

• Scapular: This is the more common variant spelling and can function as both a noun and an adjective. As a noun, it is synonymous with 'scapulary'. As an adjective, it relates to the shoulder blade (e.g., ).
  • He wore a woolen scapular as part of his daily dress.

Synonyms

• Shoulder cape: A garment covering the shoulders.
• Monastic vestment: A garment worn by members of a religious order.

Related Phrases

• The Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel: A specific and well-known devotional scapulary in the Roman Catholic tradition.
  • Devotion to the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is widespread.

Related Idioms

• "To take the scapular": An idiom meaning to formally join or commit to a religious order or its associated devotional practices.
  • After years of discernment, he decided to take the scapular.

Noun

1. garment consisting of a long wide piece of woolen cloth worn over the shoulders with an opening for the head; part of a monastic habit