(from tegere, to cover, according to Varro), was the principal outer garment worn by the Romans, who regarded this style of dress as their peculiar distinction; and hence the name which their nation received of togati, and sometimes gens togata. It is supposed to have been of Etruscan origin, as the toga praetexta certainly was. The toga was a loose, woollen, semicircular kind of garment without sleeves, which was worn either with or without the tunica. It differed in richness and in size, according to the rank of the wearer; and the usual colour of those worn by men was the natural hue of white wool. Black togas were worn by mourners. The toga praetexta, which was the dress of children of both sexes, of magistrates, of priests, and of persons engaged in sacred rites, was ornamented with a broad purple border. When lads attained to man's years, they doffed the toga praetexta, and took the toga virilis. Girls, again, wore the praetexta till their marriage, when they assumed the matronly stola. The toga picta, again, which was worn by generals in triumphs, by consuls under the empire, and by praetors when they celebrated games, was embellished with Phrygian embroidery. In war, the toga was laid aside for the sagum or paludamentum, or some less cumbrous style of attire; and hence togatus is opposed to miles; and as the toga was the distinguishing peculiarity of Roman citizens, togatus is opposed to rusticus.