vitta
.
Searchable Lemmata: vitta (L).
Alternate Forms: victa, uitta, vittae.
Definitions and Defining Citations:
1(n.)
Accessory;
band worn about the head, a fillet; especially that worn by women. In fifteenth-century usage, also more loosely referring to other kinds of headgear.(ante 800 - circa 1475)
1. Vittae sunt quae [in] crinibus innectuntur, quibus fluentes religantur capilli: et vittae dictae quod vinciunt. Taenia autem est vittarum extremitas dependens diversorum colorum. Item vitta est qua corona vincitur; taenia vero extrema pars vittae quae dependet coronae.
[DOE ISID. Etym. (19,31,6)]
Sex: Male, Female Ceremonial: No
Body Parts:
2(n.)
Accessory;
in general a band or ribbon; used to join garments.(ante 800 - circa 1000)
Sex: N/A Ceremonial: No
Body Parts:
Etymological Evidence:
Definite, Classical Latin, related to the verb viere 'to wrap, plait'. Particularly used of fillets worn when performing sacrifices, and also used of the headgear worn by the Vestal Virgins (and thus also as a symbol of chastity and purity). The word has been borrowed into Modern English with various zoological senses (see OED vitta n.).
WF: Borrowed into the British Isles
Etym Cog:
References:
