The Collaborative International Dictionary
Stole \Stole\, n. [AS. stole, L. stola, Gr. ? a stole, garment, equipment, fr. ? to set, place, equip, send, akin to E. stall. See Stall.]
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A long, loose garment reaching to the feet.
--Spenser.But when mild morn, in saffron stole, First issues from her eastern goal.
--T. Warton. -
(Eccl.) A narrow band of silk or stuff, sometimes enriched with embroidery and jewels, worn on the left shoulder of deacons, and across both shoulders of bishops and priests, pendent on each side nearly to the ground. At Mass, it is worn crossed on the breast by priests. It is used in various sacred functions.
Groom of the stole, the first lord of the bedchamber in the royal household. [Eng.]
--Brande & C.
Usage examples of "groom of the stole".
In the beginning, a shirt was taken up by the Chief Equerry in Waiting, who passed it to the First Lord of the Buckhounds, who passed it to the Second Gentleman of the Bedchamber, who passed it to the Head Ranger of Windsor Forest, who passed it to the Third Groom of the Stole, who passed it to the Chancellor Royal of the Duchy of Lancaster, who passed it to the Master of the Wardrobe, who passed it to Norroy King-at-Arms, who passed it to the Constable of the Tower, who passed it to the Chief Steward of the Household, who passed it to the Hereditary Grand Diaperer, who passed it to the Lord High Admiral of England, who passed it to the Archbishop of Canterbury, who passed it to the First Lord of the Bedchamber, who took what was left of it and put .