(a girdle). The alb is gathered in at the waist by the belt, ornamented at its ends with a fringe or tassels. This was commonly made of white thread, twisted in some cases, but in others flat, like a band. Among the inventories of the larger mediaeval churches, however, many are mentioned of silk, adorned with gold, and jewelled. If like a cord, it was made fast round the loins by a knot; if otherwise, with a buckle and the fringed or tasselled ends hung down on the cleric's left side. SEE CINCTURE.