sackcloth
5
9.9
- noun
- /ˈsækˌklɔθ/
- Archaic
:
saco
- The congregation wore sackcloth during the funeral to show their sorrow.
- sackcloth and ashes
Examples
-
I have lain in sackcloth on the earth.
-
Better still, he should be home, sitting on the floor in sackcloth and ashes, wailing, rending his garments, refusing food and drink.
Fiction book (1998) -
Be with you soon as I get out of this sackcloth and ashes...
-
Put on sackcloth and ashes?
-
I think maybe some should be wearing sackcloth and ashes.
Blog text (21) -
"I suppose she ought to wear sackcloth and ashes or half mourning."
Fiction book (1997) -
Must one conclude from this that everyone in Rome is wearing sackcloth and ashes and is pitching in from now on?
Academic text (1991) -
Now I will wear sackcloth and condemn my arrogance and stupidity.
Blog text (4) -
The Ninevites, led by their king, put on sackcloth, fasted, earnestly called upon God, and turned from their wicked ways.
Blog text (5) -
Whispers mingle with the rustling of sackcloth as the line of women cowers forward.
Fiction book (1992)
Synonyms
215
1.0
A piece of material made by joining threads together and used for making clothes or for cleaning
23
6.1
A rough, strong cloth made from jute used for sacks and wrapping plants
1
6.0
A rough heavy cloth used for making bags for potatoes
A strong rough cloth used for making bags or tents
A thick wool cloth once used to make warm clothes and furniture covers
A coarse wool cloth used in trade for furs with Native American people
Antonyms
Idioms
- Literature
1
9.9
A strong, public show of deep sorrow and regret for doing something wrong
How Coarse
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
The word sackcloth comes from the parts sack and cloth, meaning 'cloth as rough as a sack'. People in old times wore it to show deep sorrow or to ask for forgiveness, so today sackcloth means a coarse garment used for mourning.