ˌsanbəˈnēd.(ˌ)ō noun
( -s )
Etymology: Spanish sambenito, from San Benito St. Benedict died ab 543 founder of monasticism in western Europe; from its resemblance to the scapular believed to have been introduced by St. Benedict
1. : a sackcloth coat worn by penitents on being reconciled to the church
2. : a Spanish Inquisition garment resembling a scapular and either of yellow with red crosses for the penitent or of black with painted devils and flames for the impenitent condemned to an auto-da-fé