sanbenito

[ san-buh-nee-toh ]

noun

, plural san·be·ni·tos.

1. an ornamented garment worn by a condemned heretic at an auto-da-f é.
2. a penitential garment worn by a confessed heretic, of yellow for the penitent, of black for the impenitent.

sanbenito

/ ˌsænbəˈniːtəʊ /

noun

1. a yellow garment bearing a red cross, worn by penitent heretics in the Inquisition
2. a black garment bearing flames and devils, worn by impenitent heretics at an auto-da-fé

Word History and Origins

Origin of sanbenito¹

1550–60; < Spanish, named after San Benito Saint Benedict, from its resemblance to the scapular believed to have been introduced by him

Word History and Origins

Origin of sanbenito¹

C16: from Spanish San Benito Saint Benedict, an ironical allusion to its likeness to the Benedictine scapular

Example Sentences

Valer's sanbenito was displayed for a long time in the metropolitan church of Seville.

From Project Gutenberg

I would rather have put on a sanbenito myself than have gone there.

From Project Gutenberg

This saco bendito became known as the sanbenito or, more commonly, abito and was necessarily inherited by the new Inquisition.

From Project Gutenberg

Two years and a half were spent on the trials of Diego and Ana, ending with a sentence of irremissible prison and sanbenito.

From Project Gutenberg

He continued his apostolate and, on a second trial, he was condemned to perpetual prison and sanbenito.

From Project Gutenberg