Garb. One of many words, all whose meaning has run to the surface. A man’s dress was once only a portion, and a very insignificant portion, of his ‘garb,’ which included his whole outward presentment to other men; now it is all.
First, for your garb, it must be grave and serious,
Very reserved and locked; not tell a secret
On any terms, not to your father.
Ben Jonson, Volpone, act iv. sc. 1.
The greatest spirits, and those of the best and noblest breeding, are ever the most respective and obsequious in their garb, and the most observant and grateful in their language to all.—Feltham, Resolves, lxxxv.
Have thy observing eyes
E’er marked the spider’s garb, how close she lies
Within her curious web, and by and by
How quick she hastes to her entangled fly?