Also anglicized (rare) subucule. [L. dim. f. sub under + *uĕre to put, as in exuĕre, induĕre.] a. A kind of shirt or under-tunic worn by the ancient Romans. b. In the Anglo-Saxon Church, a tunic worn beneath the alb, serving as a kind of cassock.
[Cf. c. 1450. Capgrave, Life St. Gilbert, 125. My auctor her setteth a word ‘subucula’ whech is both an awbe and a schert.]
1660. R. Coke, Power & Subj., 162. That every Priest celebrating Mass, hath his Corporal, and Subucule [mispr. Subumle] under his Alban.
1849. Rock, Ch. Fathers, I. v. 460. Besides the alb … the Anglo-Saxons wore another garment … the subucula.
1877. Encycl. Brit., VI. 456/2. It was a custom of the Romans to wear two tunics…. The one next the skin was known as the subucula.
