encomboma

• a white garment worn by girls, Varr. ap. Non. 543, 1.

ENCOMBO´MA(ἐγκόμβωμα), an upper garment tied round the body in a knot (κόμβος), and worn like a bib or apron to keep the tunic clean. The regular dress of slaves in comedy was the ἐξωμὶς with an ἐγκόμβωμα over it (Pollux, 4.119; Alb. Müller, Bühnenalterth. p. 262: cf. Longus, Past. 2.33; Varr. ap. Non. p. 542). According to Müller, it was probably a slave's pallium stitched to the chiton behind, so as to leave both hands free and the movements of the body unimpeded.

(ἐγκόμβωμα). An article of Greek attire—viz. a sort of apron tied round the body in a knot (whence the name arose), and worn by slaves to keep the tunic clean (Longus, ii. 33), by young girls (Varr. ap. Non. s. v. p. 542), and also on the comic stage (Iul. Pollux, iv. 18). Both of these latter uses are exemplified by the annexed figure of a young woman playing on the double pipes, from a marble bas-relief representing a scene from some play.