Plural form of alba; white vestments or robes worn by clergy, especially during religious services or at altar.
From Latin alba meaning 'white,' referring to white garments traditionally worn by priests and church officials. The term has been used since early Christian times.
The alba is so ancient that it's practically a uniform for priests—nearly 2,000 years of Christian tradition means that when a priest puts on an alba, they're wearing something almost unchanged since Roman times!
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