Chain mail

Chain 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. [1913 Webster]

{Chain mail}, {Coat of mail}. See under {Chain}, and {Coat}. [1913 Webster]

2. Hence generally, armor, or any defensive covering. [1913 Webster]

3. (Naut.) A contrivance of interlinked rings, for rubbing off the loose hemp on lines and white cordage. [1913 Webster]

4. (Zo["o]l.) Any hard protective covering of an animal, as the scales and plates of reptiles, shell of a lobster, etc. [1913 Webster]

We . . . strip the lobster of his scarlet mail. --Gay. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Chain mail — Chain Chain (ch[=a]n), n. [F. cha[^i]ne, fr. L. catena. Cf. {Catenate}.] 1. A series of links or rings, usually of metal, connected, or fitted into one another, used for various purposes, as of support, of restraint, of ornament, of the exertion… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • chain mail — chain′ mail′ n. her mail II, 1) • Etymology: 1815–25 …   From formal English to slang

  • chain mail — n [U] protective clothing made by joining many small metal rings together, worn by soldiers in the past …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • chain mail — chain ,mail noun uncount clothing made from metal rings that soldiers in the past wore for protection …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • chain mail — ► NOUN historical ▪ armour made of small metal rings linked together …   English terms dictionary

  • chain mail — n. flexible armor made of joined metal links …   English World dictionary

  • chain mail — noun (Middle Ages) flexible armor made of interlinked metal rings • Syn: ↑ring mail, ↑mail, ↑chain armor, ↑chain armour, ↑ring armor, ↑ring armour • Topics: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • Chain Mail — For other uses, see chainmail (disambiguation). Chain Mail / Sit Down Single by James Released March 1986 …   Wikipedia

  • chain mail — Armor. mail2 (def. 1). [1815 25] * * * or mail Form of body armour worn by European knights and other medieval warriors. An early form, made by sewing iron rings to fabric or leather, was worn in late Roman times and may have originated in Asia.… …   Universalium

  • chain mail — noun a) A flexible defensive armor, made of a mesh of interlinked metal rings. Chain mail is formed by a number of iron rings, each ring having four others inserted into it, the whole exhibiting a kind of net work, with circular meshes, every… …   Wiktionary

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