a sacerdotal ornament wore by the Roman parish-priests over their surplice, as a mark of superiority in their respective churches; and by other priests, over the alb, at celebrating of mass, in which case it goes a-cross the stomach, and by deacons, over the left shoulder, scarf-wise; when the priest reads the gospel for any one, he lays the bottom of his stole on his head. The stole is a broad swathe, or slip of stuff, hanging from the neck to the feet, with three crosses thereon.

Groom of the Stole, the eldest gentleman of his Majesty's bed chamber, whose office and honour it is to present and put on his majesty's first garment, or shirt, every morning, and to order the things in the chamber.

Order of the Stole, an order of knights instituted by the kings of Arragon. Another military order, at Venice, is called the order of the golden stole; thus called from a golden stole, which those knights wore over their shoulder, reaching to the knee, both before and behind, a palm and a half broad. None are raised to this order but patricians, or noble Venetians.