Obs. [Spenser’s word was prob. meant to represent Sp. and Pr. camisa, = Pg. camiza, It. camicia, camiscia ‘shirt, smock, priest’s surplice,’ F. chemise (ONF. kemise):—late L. camisia, camisa linen tunic, alb, shirt (see CHEMISE); or else the cognate It. cámice surplice. It is hardly likely that he knew the Oriental qamīç or CAMISE (see below).] A light loose dress of silk or linen; a chemise, shirt, tunic.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., II. iii. 26. And [she] was yclad, for heat of scorching aire, All in a silken Camus lilly whight. Ibid., V. v. 2. [The Amazon] All in a Camis light of purple silke Woven uppon with silver, subtly wrought.
¶ Various foreign forms of the word camisia: camesa, camisa, camiscia, occur casually.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, Camesa, a Shirt or Shift.
1796. Stedman, Surinam, II. xx. 89. The rest of his [a rebel negro’s] dress is a camisa, tied around his loins like a handkerchief.
1825. Scott, Talisman, xv. His … person was wrapped in the folds of his camiscia, or ample gown of linen.
