A long, sleeveless outer robe worn by a priest over other vestments during religious services, usually richly decorated.
From Old French 'chasuble,' derived from Latin 'casula' (a small house or hut), from 'casa' (house)—the shape was said to resemble a small house or tent. The word arrived in English through religious vocabulary brought by Norman clergy.
The chasuble's origin as 'little house' is hilarious once you picture it—medieval clerics literally wrapped themselves in fabric shaped like miniature architecture! This 1,500-year-old liturgical garment remains nearly unchanged today, making it one of Christianity's most conservative fashion statements.
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