cilice
/ˈsɪlɪs
/noun
1A hair shirt.The cilice mentioned in the novel is a thigh-mounted type, but i guess the original cilices were coarse hairy shirts....
- In the evening we keep pious conversation while attending to pious works such as making rosaries, cilices and repairing books.
- Nuns of some religious orders wear a hair cloth or cilice next their skin.
1.1A spiked garter or other device worn by penitents and ascetics.His descriptions of the practice of corporal mortification is also inaccurate, as is his representation of the cilice and the discipline....
- The cilice creates a minor leg irritation which is intended to be a reminder of Christ's suffering.
- I don't fancy that 'cilice' very much.
Origin
Late 16th century: from French, from Latin cilicium, from Greek kilikion, from Kilikia, the Greek name for Cilicia in Asia Minor (because hair shirts were originally made of Cilician goats' hair).