核心畫面

One wide piece of cloth pulled on over the head and hanging straight down the body. Nothing is shaped or fitted; the garment simply covers you. Because everyone in a group wears the same one, putting it on is also how you show who you are.

可以想成一整片布,從肩膀直直垂下來,就這樣套在身上。它不剪裁、不修身,作用只是把人包起來。因為同一群人穿的都一樣,所更多收起可以想成一整片布,從肩膀直直垂下來,就這樣套在身上。它不剪裁、不修身,作用只是把人包起來。因為同一群人穿的都一樣,所以穿上它,同時也等於亮出身分——這個字後來的每個用法,幾乎都能從這一件「套上身的衣服」看出線索。

From the word’s history

From Middle English frok, from Old French froc, a monk's gown or habit, perhaps via Medieval Latin roccus, from Frankish *hrokk (skirt, dress, robe), from Proto-Germanic *hrukkaz, from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning to weave.

從中古英語 frok 來,源頭是古法文 froc(修道士的袍子),再往前是法蘭克語 hrokk(裙子、袍子),最遠可以推到「編織」這個意思。所以這個字從一開始講的就是「織出來、套上身的一件衣服」,僧袍是它最早的樣子。

Wiktionary etymology_text supplied in packet (kaikki:3f6f69a190036ae4:500528744)

One branch

套上身的一件衣服

這一族直接就是核心畫面本身:一件垂下來的衣服。差別只在誰穿、在哪裡穿。

noun · C1

A long, loose piece of clothing that hangs straight down the body, worn by Christian monks; some sources also use it for the long robe worn by priests and other church workers.

僧袍