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

Referencing “Sanbenito” cloaks, which were used to shame criminals during the Spanish Inquisition, Salcedo’s shawls will never keep their wearers warm.

From Washington Post

Sliding into @sanbenito DMs like...

From Los Angeles Times

Bad Bunny @sanbenito 🐰 was spotted today on a film shoot in Boyle Heights!

From Los Angeles Times

Sanbenito, san-be-nē′tō, n. a garment grotesquely decorated with flames, devils, &c., worn by the victims of the Inquisition—at an auto-de-fe—for public recantation or execution.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg