Also 7–9 simarre, (7 semeare), 8–9 simar, symar: see SIMARRE. [ad. F. simarre (OF. chamarre): see CHIMER1, SIMARRE.]
1. A robe or loose light garment for women; esp. an under garment, a chemise.
Used somewhat vaguely in poetry and fiction.
[1641. Ariana, 201. A Persian simarre or mantle.]
1697. Dryden, Virgil, Æneid, IV. 196. A flow’r’d Cymarr with Golden Fringe, she wore. Ibid. (1700), Cymon & Iphig., 100. Her body shaded with a slight cymarr.
1824. Wiffen, Tasso, VI. xci. Whilst young Erminia laid her vests aside … And to her flowered cymar disrobed complete.
1825. Scott, Talism., iii. Disrobed of all clothing saving a cymar of white silk.
a. 1839. Praed, Poems (1864), II. 22. I ask not what the vapours are That veil thee like a white cymar.
2. = CHIMER: spec. that of a bishop.
1673. Bp. Parker, Repr. Reh. Transp., 499 (T.). Vests, perukes, tunicks, cimarrs.
1762. Hume, Hist. Eng., II. xl. 380. The episcopal habit, the cymarre and rochette.
1868. Milman, St. Paul’s, xi. 266. Bishop Grindal preached … in his rochet and cymar.
