Just as regal describes a king or queen—that is, a ruler—regalia originally meant the things, and especially the dress and decoration, that belong exclusively to a monarch. The British monarchy's regalia include the crown jewels (crown, scepter, orb, sword, etc.) that lend luster to royal coronations. Academic regalia—the caps, gowns, and hoods worn by students receiving their degrees—link institutions to their past by preserving the dress worn at universities since their beginnings in the Middle Ages, when long hooded robes were needed for warmth.
Recent Examples on the WebThe show will feature outfits created by Indigenous designers from across North America who incorporate elements of the culture and traditional regalia into their designs.San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2022 The ceremony and celebrations were colorful displays of Zulu culture where hundreds of people dressed in traditional regalia. Mogomotsi Magome, ajc, 20 Aug. 2022 Many tribe members were dressed in traditional regalia. Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 21 Aug. 2021 The group has released a 21-minute video that depicts Lawson in Nazi regalia, a whip in her hand and swastika on her shoulder, and shows a clip of the garage confrontation validating Lawson’s description. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2022 The library has installed a glass display case from the school’s alumni association, featuring school regalia and historical artifacts. Palak Jayswal, The Salt Lake Tribune, 12 July 2022 Other men donning Buc-ee's masks appeared to stick close to Neidert during the remainder of the protest, alongside other armed men wearing a variety of different face masks and regalia. Michael Murney, Chron, 11 July 2022 Many of the activists wear designer pieces mixed in with their own regalia or personal pieces with a history of their own. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 5 July 2022 From July 28 to 30, members of the Nez Perce Appaloosa Horse Club will ride a section of the Nez Perce Trail, hold a parade in traditional regalia and conduct trail rides. Forrest Brown, CNN, 28 Feb. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Medieval Latin, from Latin, neuter plural of regalis