Search

a long, close-fitting garment worn by members of the clergy or others participating in church services.
a lightweight, double-breasted ecclesiastical coat or jacket, worn under the Geneva gown.
a member of the clergy.
Historical Examples

She was a nettle in which the rustle of the cassock was visible.
Les Misrables Victor Hugo

He was holding apart the flaps of his cassock like the tails of a coat.
Rene Mauperin Edmond de Goncourt and Jules de Goncourt

On the green I saw a white man coming with a cassock on, by which and by the face of him I knew he was a priest.
Island Nights’ Entertainments Robert Louis Stevenson

Monsieur le Cur tucked it safely in the breast of his cassock.
A Village of Vagabonds F. Berkeley Smith

Then, when the great door had closed behind him, he gathered up the skirts of his cassock and hurried down the narrow street.
In Kedar’s Tents Henry Seton Merriman

He heard his cassock, which was caught on the spout, crack and rip at every jerk that he gave it.
Notre-Dame de Paris Victor Hugo

The Father brushed some crumbs from the front of his cassock and sat up higher in his chair.
Tongues of Conscience Robert Smythe Hichens

The Bravo went in with him, and began to help him out of his cotta and cassock.
Stradella F(rancis) Marion Crawford

The Brother remained standing there in silence, with his fat hands clasped in front of his cassock.
Abbe Mouret’s Transgression Emile Zola

He was not yet quite certain that Adams had any more of the clergyman in him than his cassock.
Joseph Andrews, Vol. 2 Henry Fielding

noun
(Christianity) an ankle-length garment, usually black, worn by priests and choristers
n.

1540s, “long loose gown,” from Middle French casaque “long coat” (16c.), probably ultimately from Turkish quzzak “nomad, adventurer,” (the source of Cossack), from their typical riding coat. Or perhaps from Arabic kazagand, from Persian kazhagand “padded coat,” from kazh “raw silk” + agand “stuffed.” Chiefly a soldier’s cloak 16c.-17c.; ecclesiastical use is from 1660s.