I.the garment worn next the skin, a frock, Lat. tunica:
1.in early times, a man's frock, Hom.; sometimes with a girdle, and reaching to the feet (τερμιόεις), Od.; of linen, id=Od.; over it was worn a mantle (φᾶρος, χλαῖνα), which was laid aside in the house.
2.in later times we hear of two sorts of χιτών, the Ionian and the Dorian;—the Ionian like the Homeric, but worn by women, as well as men, Hdt.; disused by the men about the time of Pericles, Thuc.;—Dorian adopted at Athens when the Ionian was laid aside. The Dorian χιτών was also worn by Spartan women, being open at the side (σχιστός), and fastened with περόναι, Hdt.—Over this χιτών was worn the ἱμάτιον.
II.of soldiers, a coat of mail, of leather covered with scales or rings, Il., Hdt.
III.the upper leather of a shoe, in pl., Xen.
Probably an Oriental word.