Vestitum

Vestitum is a Latin term that functions as the neuter singular form of the perfect passive participle vestitus, meaning dressed or clothed. In classical Latin, vestitus is used to describe someone’s state of dress, and vestitum can serve as an adjective modifying neuter nouns or, in some contexts, stand as a neuter substantive referring to clothing or attire.

Etymology and related forms stem from the verb vestire, to clothe, and its associated noun vestimentum, which distinctly means clothing or attire. The participial paradigm includes vestitus (masculine), vestita (feminine), and vestitum (neuter). English inherits related terms such as vestment and vesture from the same Latin root, reflecting the family of words connected with garments and dress.

In Latin texts, vestitum typically appears in descriptions of dress within legal, literary, and funerary contexts, where it helps convey appearance, social status, or ceremonial or ritual costume. Although it is a grammatical form rather than a standalone noun in ordinary prose, its usage contributes to the characterization of individuals and scenes through their clothing.

See also: Vestimentum; Vestiture; Latin grammar of participles; Dress in ancient Rome.