himation

noun

hiÂ·matÂ·iÂ·on hi-Ëˆma-tÄ“-ËŒÃ¤n

-É™n

: a rectangular cloth draped over the left shoulder and about the body and worn as a garment in ancient Greece

Word History

Etymology

Greek, diminutive of heimat-, heima garment; akin to Greek hennynai to clothe â€” more at wear

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of himation was in 1850

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

Himantopus

himation

himbo

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Himation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/himation. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dross

Listen to the pronunciation of dross

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of DÃ©jÃ Vu

The Words of the Week - Mar. 27

Why do we call it a 'pipe dream'?

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

Popular

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of DÃ©jÃ Vu