What does scapular mean?
A scapular is a religious garment or devotional object associated especially with Christian monastic communities and Catholic devotional life. In its garment sense, it is a sleeveless piece worn over the shoulders, traditionally by monks and members of certain religious orders; its color and materials often indicate the order to which the wearer belongs. In its other common sense, a scapular is a small badge or medal depicting a sacred figure, Christ, the Virgin Mary, or a religious order, and it may be worn on a chain around the neck. The word is most often encountered in descriptions of Catholic religious habits, devotional practices, and objects. Although historically associated with the shoulder, the modern word is largely confined to religious contexts rather than serving as a general term for a shoulder covering.
nounA sleeveless garment worn over the shoulders by some Christian monks and religious orders. The term can also refer to a small devotional badge, often worn on a chain around the neck, associated with Catholic religious orders.
- A sleeveless garment worn over the shoulders by some Christian monks and religious orders.
- A small devotional badge or medal, commonly worn on a chain around the neck, associated with Catholic religious orders.
"The monk wore a plain brown scapular over his habit."
"She kept the small religious scapular in a wooden box beside her rosary."
"The congregation's members wore brown scapulars as part of their religious dress."
The plural is used for multiple garments or devotional badges, usually in a religious context.
"The museum displays several scapulars belonging to different religious orders."
A scapular began as a practical shoulder covering and later became one of the Catholic Church’s most recognizable devotional objects.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does scapular come from?
The word comes through Late Latin from Latin scapulare, meaning a shoulder garment, based on scapula, meaning shoulder. English borrowed the term in the Middle English period for garments worn by members of religious orders. Its development reflects the garment’s association with the shoulders, while its later devotional sense arose from the practice of wearing small versions or images of religious scapulars around the neck.
How scapular is actually used
The word is primarily religious and is less common in general modern usage. When referring to the devotional badge, it is often associated with Catholic practice, although the garment sense is not limited to one Christian tradition.
Easily confused with scapular
A scapulary is the sleeveless outer garment worn by members of some religious orders, whereas a scapular can also refer to a devotional badge worn around the neck.
The scapula is the anatomical shoulder blade, while a scapular is a religious garment or devotional badge.