What is "jazerant"

Jazerant \Jaz"er*ant\, n. [OF. jacerant, jaseran, Sp. jacerina, cota jacerina, fr. jazarino Algerine, fr. Ar. jaz[=a][=i]r Algiers.] A coat of defense made of small plates of metal sewed upon linen or the like; also, this kind of armor taken generally; as, a coat of jazerant.

n. A coat of defense made of small plates of metal sewn upon linen or the like. Also, this kind of armor taken generally; as, a coat of jazerant.

thumb|The samurai jazarant (kusari katabira), mail armor was sewn between layers of cloth on this jacket. Jazerant (Jaz´er`ant), or Hauberk jazerant, is a form of medieval light coat of armour consisting of mail between layers of fabric or leather. It was largely used in Turkey, the Middle East and Persia from the 11th and 12th century, at the end of the 13th and throughout the 14th century. In the following centuries, its use was replaced by that of the Jaque. Also known as Kazaghand, Gazarant or Gesserant, its name has been variously interpreted but most likely derives from the Arabic Jacerina, which means Algerine. The Arabs of north Africa were renowned for their mail coats. The samurai of Japan used a type of jazerant during the Edo period, kusari katabira (mail jacket) were constructed with mail sewn between layers of cloth.