Obs. Also 4–9 amyt(e, 5 amitt, 7 ammit. [a. OFr. amit (now amict, pron. ami):—L. amict-um: see AMICT and AMICE, the latter of which became the common form in 14th c.]
1. gen. A cloth for wrapping round, a handkerchief, scarf, etc.
1382. Wyclif, Heb. i. 12. Thou schalt chaunge hem as an amyte [1388 cloth; Vulg. amictum] or girdyng aboute, and thei schulen be chaungid.
1451. in Gardner, Hist. Dunwich (1754), 148. Cloth for Amyts and Girdelys.
2. Eccl. The white amice worn by priests.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron., 319. Of preste þou has no merke, albe ne non amite.
c. 1470. Lib. Dom. Edw. IV., in Househ. Ord. (1790), 85. The surplyces of singers of chapelles, and awbes, amittes.
1496. Dives & Paup. (W. de Worde), VIII. viii. 331/2. The amyt on his hede at the begynnynge betokneth the cloth that crystus face was hyled with in time of his passyon.
1683. Oldham, Wks. (1686), 91. Their Motly Habits, Maniples, and Stoles, Albs, Ammits, Rochets, Chimers, Hoods, and Cowls.
1811. J. Grant, Hist. Eng. Ch., I. 159. Their appendages of albs, amyts, stoles, maniples, and girdles.
3. By confusion for aumusse AMICE2: A hood, upon a gown or cloak.
1382. Wyclif, Ex. xxxix. 21. And thei maden the coope coote [1388 the coop coot or aube] al iacynctyne; and a hode [1388 hood or the amyt; Vulg. capitium] in the ouerest parti.
