Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Indusium

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Rich, Anthony (1849). The illustrated companion to the Latin dictionary, and Greek lexicon. p. vi. OCLC 894670115. https://archive.org/details/illustratedcompa00rich. 

INDU'SIUM. An article belonging to the Indutus of female attire, for which our term frock affords the best translation, and the closest analogy; for it was worn over the chemise (subucula), had short sleeves, and was put on over the head in the same manner as that article of modern costume. (Varro. de Vit. Pop. Rom. ap. Non. s. Subucula p. 522. Id. L. L. v. 131.) It is derived from induo, not from intus, which is a mistaken etymology, invented by Varro (l. c.), to suit which he writes the word intusium, and is attributed to females exclusively, because Varro distinctly enumerates it amongst the articles of the female wardrobe. It is very plainly exhibited on both the annexed figures (Indusium/1.1), which also show the subucula underneath it. In the larger one, representing the Flora of the Capitol, only the right arm is inserted into the sleeve; but the other armhole appears upon the left arm; the edge of the skirt rests upon the hand, just as such a dress would do after it had been put over the head; and one arm drawn into the sleeve, before dropping it down to pass the other through the sleeve in like manner. The small figure, from a statue of the Villa Borghese, shows a dress of the same description when properly put on, with a part of the subucula appearing underneath it, and a loose shoulder-strap (balteus) outside.

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  Indusium/1.1