Forms: 1–9 albe, 4–7 aube, 5 awbe, awlbe, 5–6 aulbe, 6– alb. [OE. albe, ad. late L. alba, for tunica or vestis alba a white tunic or garment, a shirt. The form aube is a later adoption of the Fr. aube:—alba, and was the usual one in Eng. in the 14th and early 15th c.; in the 16th the two were mixed in aulbe, awlbe.] A tunic or vestment of white cloth reaching to the feet, and enveloping the entire person; a variety of the surplice, but with close sleeves; worn by priests in religious ceremonies, and by some consecrated kings.
a. 1100. Canons of K. Edgar, in Anc. Laws, II. 250. Þæt ælc preost hæbbe subuculam under his alban [dat. or acc. of albe].
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 163. Te albe sol, and hire smoc hwit.
1340. Ayenb., 236. Ine þe aube and ine þe gerdle above.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., Awbe (1499 Awlbe). Alba, poderis.
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 359/2. Saynt Martyn appiered to hym cladde in an aulbe.
1566. Engl. Ch. Furn. (1866), 30. Item an alb—whearof wee have made a surples.
1606. G. W[oodcocke], Hist. Justine, Ll iij. Hee [Sigismund] … was buryed in his regall Albe in Vngaria.
1649. Jer. Taylor, Gt. Exemp., II. viii. 68. Whose albes of baptisme served them also for a winding sheet.
1820. Scott, Monast., xxxvii. Array yourselves also in alb and cope.
1846. Keble, Lyra Innoc. (1873), 171. Who daily in the Holy Place wears the bright albe.
