What is "coat of mail"

Mail \Mail\ (m[=a]l), n. [OE. maile, maille, F. maille a ring of mail, mesh, network, a coat of mail, fr. L. macula spot, a mesh of a net. Cf. Macle, Macula, Mascle.]

1. A flexible fabric made of metal rings interlinked. It was used especially for defensive armor.
   --Chaucer.

   Chain mail, Coat of mail. See under Chain, and Coat.

2. Hence generally, armor, or any defensive covering.

3. (Naut.) A contrivance of interlinked rings, for rubbing off the loose hemp on lines and white cordage.

4. (Zo["o]l.) Any hard protective covering of an animal, as the scales and plates of reptiles, shell of a lobster, etc.

   We . . . strip the lobster of his scarlet mail.
   --Gay.

Coat \Coat\ (k[=o]t; 110), n. [OF. cote, F. cotte, petticoat, cotte d'armes coat of arms, cotte de mailles coat of mail, LL. cota, cotta, tunic, prob. of German origin; cf. OHG. chozzo coarse mantle, G. klotze, D. kot, hut, E. cot. Cf. Cot a hut.]

1. An outer garment fitting the upper part of the body; especially, such a garment worn by men.

   Let each His adamantine coat gird well.
   --Milton.

2. A petticoat. [Obs.] ``A child in coats.''
   --Locke.

3. The habit or vesture of an order of men, indicating the order or office; cloth.

   Men of his coat should be minding their prayers.
   --Swift.

   She was sought by spirits of richest coat.
   --Shak.

4. An external covering like a garment, as fur, skin, wool, husk, or bark; as, the horses coats were sleek.

   Fruit of all kinds, in coat Rough or smooth rined, or bearded husk, or shell.
   --Milton.

5. A layer of any substance covering another; a cover; a tegument; as, the coats of the eye; the coats of an onion; a coat of tar or varnish.

6. Same as Coat of arms. See below.

   Hark, countrymen! either renew the fight, Or tear the lions out of England's coat.
   --Shak.

7. A coat card. See below. [Obs.]

   Here's a trick of discarded cards of us! We were ranked with coats as long as old master lived.
   --Massinger.

   Coat armor. See under Armor.

   Coat of arms (Her.), a translation of the French cotte d'armes, a garment of light material worn over the armor in the 15th and 16th centuries. This was often charged with the heraldic bearings of the wearer. Hence, an heraldic achievement; the bearings of any person, taken together.

   Coat card, a card bearing a coated figure; the king, queen, or knave of playing cards. ```I am a coat card indeed.' `Then thou must needs be a knave, for thou art neither king nor queen.'''
   --Rowley.

   Coat link, a pair of buttons or studs joined by a link, to hold together the lappels of a double-breasted coat; or a button with a loop for a single-breasted coat.

   Coat of mail, a defensive garment of chain mail. See Chain mail, under Chain.

   Mast coat (Naut.), a piece of canvas nailed around a mast, where it passes through the deck, to prevent water from getting below.

   Sail coat (Naut.), a canvas cover laced over furled sails, and the like, to keep them dry and clean.

n. (context historical English) a defensive garment made of metal scales or interlinked metal rings

n. armor that protects the wearer's whole body [syn: body armor, body armour, suit of armor, suit of armour, cataphract]