Alb, or ALBE (Lat. albus, 'white'), the long white linen vestment worn both by priests and acolytes in the Roman Catholic Church, and to a lesser extent in the Anglican communion also. It differed from the more modern Surplice (q.v.), which is only a modification of it, in having narrower sleeves, and fitting more closely to the body, being bound about the waist by a cincture. At the foot and wrists were embroidered ornaments called apparels. In the ancient church, newly baptised persons were obliged to wear a similar garment for eight days; and hence catechumens were called albati; and the Sunday after Easter, on which they usually received baptism, came to be called Dominica in Albis. See WHITSUNTIDE.