a part of the sacerdotal habit among jews, being a covering for the back and breast, held together on the shoulders by two clasps or brooches of onyx stones set in gold, and fastened by a girdle of the same stuff as the ephod. the ephod for the priests was of plain linen; that for the high priest was richly embroidered in colors. the breastplate of the high priest was worn upon the ephod in front.