Apparel

In Old Testament times the distinction between male and female attire was not very marked. The statute forbidding men to wear female apparel (Deut. 22:5) referred especially to ornaments and head-dresses. Both men and women wore (1) an under garment or tunic, which was bound by a girdle. One who had only this tunic on was spoken of as “naked” (1 Sam. 19:24; Job 24:10; Isa. 20:2). Those in high stations sometimes wore two tunics, the outer being called the “upper garment” (1 Sam. 15:27; 18:4; 24:5; Job 1:20). (2.) They wore in common an over-garment (“mantle,” Isa. 3:22; 1 Kings 19:13; 2 Kings 2:13), a loose and flowing robe. The folds of this upper garment could be formed into a lap (Ruth 3:15; Ps. 79:12; Prov. 17:23; Luke 6:38). Generals of armies usually wore scarlet robes (Judg. 8:26; Nah. 2:3). A form of conspicuous raiment is mentioned in Luke 20:46; comp. Matt. 23:5. Priests alone wore trousers. Both men and women wore turbans. Kings and nobles usually had a store of costly garments for festive occasions (Isa. 3:22; Zech. 3:4) and for presents (Gen. 45:22; Esther 4:4; 6:8, 11; 1 Sam. 18:4; 2 Kings 5:5; 10:22). Prophets and ascetics wore coarse garments (Isa. 20:2; Zech. 13:4; Matt. 3:4).

APPAR'EL. See Clothes.

APPAR'EL. See Clothes.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. External clothing; vesture; garments; dress; garb; external habiliments or array. Fresh in his new apparel, proud and young. Denham. At public devotion his resigned carriage made religion appear in the natural apparel of simplicity. Tatler.

2. A small ornamental piece of embroidery worn on albs and some other ecclesiastical vestments.

3. The furniture of a ship, as masts, sails, rigging, anchors, guns, etc.

Synonyms: Dress; clothing; vesture; garments; raiment; garb; costume; attire; habiliments.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

1. To make or get (something) ready; to prepare. [Obs.] Chaucer.

2. To furnish with apparatus; to equip; to fit out. Ships . . . appareled to fight. Hayward.

3. To dress or clothe; to attire. They which are gorgeously appareled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts. Luke vii. 25.

4. To dress with external ornaments; to cover with something ornamental; to deck; to embellish; as, trees appareled with flowers, or a garden with verdure. Appareled in celestial light. Wordsworth.