Definition of the word cassock

The word "cassock" originally derived from the Latin word "casula," meaning "little house" or "hut." In the early Christian church, monks and priests would wear simple tunics made of rough material as a symbol of humility, and these tunics were often referred to as "huts" or "little houses" due to their resemblance to small, residential structures. As the use of these tunics spread among the clergy, the term "casula" came to apply specifically to the clergy's simple, everyday garment, distinct from their ceremonial robes. The suggestion of a "house" also reflected the idea that the priest or bishop's cassock represented a sacred space where the divine could be encountered. The word "cassock" first appeared in English in the 14th century, with the exact etymology uncertain. Nevertheless, it ultimately derives from the Latin "casula." Over time, the use of the cassock has evolved within different Christian denominations, but it remains a distinctive part of clerical dress.