Definition of "cilice"

cilice

noun
plural cilices
1. A garment or undergarment made of coarse cloth or animal hair worn close to the skin used by members of various Christian traditions as a self-imposed means of penance (repentance) and mortification of the flesh.
  Quotations
  It was deemed meritorious to disfigure the body by neglect and filth, to extenuate it by fasting and watchfulness, to lacerate it with stripes, and to fret the wounds with cilices of horsehair.
  1824, Robert Southey, “View of the Papal System”, in The Book of the Church. […], volume I, London: John Murray, […], pages 305–306
2. (chiefly in Opus Dei) A leather strap studded with metallic barbs that cut into flesh as a constant reminder of Christ's suffering.