HAUBERK

hauberk, byrnie

(noun) a long (usually sleeveless) tunic of chain mail formerly worn as defensive armor

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

hauberk (plural hauberks)

A coat of mail; especially, the long coat of mail of the European Middle Ages, as contrasted with the habergeon, which is shorter and sometimes sleeveless.

Coordinate terms

• byrnie, habergeon, haubergeon

Source: Wiktionary

Hau"berk, n. Etym: [OF. hauberc, halberc, F.haubert, OHG. halsberc; hals neck + bergan to protect, G. bergen; akin to AS. healsbeorg, Icel. halsbjörg. See Collar, and Bury, v. t.]

Definition: A coat of mail; especially, the long coat of mail of the European Middle Ages, as contrasted with the habergeon, which is shorter and sometimes sleeveless. By old writers it is often used synonymously with habergeon. See Habergeon. [Written variously hauberg, hauberque, hawberk, etc.] Chaucer. Helm, nor hawberk's twisted mail. Gray.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition