perizoma
.
Searchable Lemmata: perizoma (L), perizomata (ME).
Alternate Forms: perizomata, perizomatum, perizona, perizonium, peryzomata.
Definitions and Defining Citations:
1(n.)
Garment;
a girdle or loincloth (especially in Biblical contexts and with regard to Genesis 3:7, as the garments made by Adam and Eve when they discovered their nakedness and sought to cover their genitalia).
Used to refer to breechgirdles, breeches and other lower garments, and occasionally (in glosses) equated with other types of clothing.(post 750 - circa 1500 ?)
1. Vestis antiquissima hominum fuit perizomatum, id est subcinctorium, quo tantum genitalia conteguntur. Hoc primum primi mortales e foliis arborum sibi fecerunt, quoniam post praevaricationem erubescentes pudenda velarunt. Cuius usum quaedam barbarae gentes, dum sint nudae, usque hodie tenent. Haec et campestria nuncupantur, pro eo quod eisdem iuvenes, qui nudi exercentur in campo, pudenda operiunt.
[DOE ISID. Etym. (19,22,5)]
Sex: Male Ceremonial: No
Body Parts:
Etymological Evidence:
Definite, Classical Latin borrowing of Greek περίζωμα.
WF: Borrowed into the British Isles
Etym Cog: perizomata (ME).
References:
