amictus

1. Vestis (from vas, Goth. wastjan) is the most general expression, and denotes sometimes the whole clothes; vestitus, sometimes only a single article of dress, vestimentum. Vestem mutare denotes, to go into mourning; vestimenta mutare, to shift one’s clothes. 2. Vestis and vestimentum denote the clothes which cover the body, as necessary or decent; amictus and amiculum (from ambi and jacere) the cloak or mantle which covers the under-clothing, for the sake of warmth or of ornament; amictus, the whole of the over-clothing; amiculum, a single article, as a mantle. Tac. G. 17. Feminæ sæpius lineis amictibus velantur, partemque vestitus superioris in manicas non extendunt. Curt. v. 1, 38. Sil. It. vii. 447. 3. Cultus and habitus have a wider meaning than vestis; cultus (occulere) whatever belongs to dress, girdle, hat, ornaments, arms, etc.; habitus, whatever belongs to the exterior in general, cleanliness, mode of dressing the hair, carriage of the body, etc. Suet. Cæs. 44. Dicam ea, quæ ad formam et habitum et cultum et mores pertinebant. Cal. 52. Vestitu calceatuque cæteroque habitu. (v. 209.)