HAIR SHIRT Meaning and
Definition
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A "hair shirt" is a noun that refers to a garment made from a coarse, uncomfortable fabric, traditionally woven from animal hair, which is worn close to the skin as a form of penance or self-mortification. Historically, hair shirts were commonly used by monks or religious ascetics as a means of punishing or disciplining their bodies to atone for their sins or seek spiritual enlightenment.
The hair shirt embodies the concept of discomfort and suffering, representing a physical means of deterring from worldly pleasures and focusing on spiritual purification. It symbolizes a voluntary form of austerity, often worn for extended periods, sometimes even until death, as a testament to the wearer's devotion and willingness to endure physical pain for spiritual growth.
Metaphorically, the term "hair shirt" has expanded its meaning beyond its literal interpretation. In contemporary usage, it can represent any self-imposed penance or an act of self-punishment for one's perceived wrongdoings. It can also allude to a display of excessive guilt or an exaggerated sense of responsibility for a negative outcome or mistake.
Overall, the term "hair shirt" carries the connotation of sacrifice, hardship, and self-inflicted suffering, whether in its literal religious form or its broader figurative usage.
Common Misspellings for HAIR SHIRT
Etymology of HAIR SHIRT
The word "hair shirt" has its origins in the Old English language. The term is derived from the Middle English word "hereshyrte", which was a compound of "hǣr" (meaning "hair") and "shyrte" (meaning "shirt"). "Hǣr" comes from the Proto-Germanic word "haira", meaning hair or hairy, and "shyrte" is related to the Old High German word "scurz", which refers to a shirt or tunic. The hair shirt itself was a garment made of coarse and uncomfortable material, often woven from animal hair, and was historically worn as a form of penance or self-mortification, particularly in religious contexts.
Idioms with the word HAIR SHIRT
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a hair shirt
The idiom "a hair shirt" refers to a difficult or punishing experience that a person willingly endures in order to atone for a wrongdoing or as a form of self-imposed punishment. It usually conveys the idea of voluntarily subjecting oneself to discomfort or hardship as a means of self-correction or penance.
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hair shirt
A "hair shirt" is a garment made of rough animal hair or cloth worn as a form of penance or self-punishment, typically to atone for one's sins or wrongdoings. Figuratively, it refers to any form of severe self-discipline or self-imposed suffering or hardship.
Similar spelling words for HAIR SHIRT
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