A sleeveless white vestment (religious robe) worn by clergy or choir members over other clothing during church services.
From Medieval Latin 'cotta,' which likely derives from Old High German 'kot' meaning 'coat.' It entered English in the 12th century as a piece of church ceremonial dress.
The cotta is one of the oldest pieces of church clothing still in use, and you can see them in virtually every Christian denomination—they've barely changed in 900 years because religious tradition values stability and continuity.
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