cilice

Definitions

1. A garment or undergarment made of coarse cloth or animal hair worn close to the skin used by members of various Christian traditions as a self-imposed means of penance (repentance) and mortification of the flesh.
2. A leather strap studded with metallic barbs that cut into flesh as a constant reminder of Christ's suffering.

Equivalents

Examples

“It was deemed meritorious to disfigure the body by neglect⟳ and filth, to extenuate it by fasting and watchfulness, to lacerate it with stripes, and to fret the wounds with cilices of horsehair.”

“All she had done was give⟳ Teena a cilice, a barbed metal chain she was to tie around her thigh for two hours every day, and a discipline, a rope whip with knotted ends she was to use⟳ on her back when she prayed the Hail Mary.”

CEFR level