hauberk

[ haw-burk ]

noun

, Armor.

1. a long defensive shirt, usually of mail, extending to the knees; byrnie.

hauberk

/ ˈhɔːbɜːk /

noun

1. a long coat of mail, often sleeveless

Word History and Origins

Origin of hauberk¹

1250–1300; Middle English < Old French hauberc, earlier halberc < Frankish *halsberg, equivalent to *hals neck ( hawse ) + *berg protection ( harbor ); cognate with Old High German halsberc Old English healsbeorg, Old Norse halsbjǫrg

Word History and Origins

Origin of hauberk¹

C13: from Old French hauberc, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German halsberc, Old English healsbeorg, from heals neck + beorg protection, shelter

Example Sentences

If you use it wisely, it may be Ulysses' hauberk; if you reject it, the shirt of Nessus were a cooler winding-sheet!

From Project Gutenberg

Thrice—De Valmont's guard shivered as a rush—through shield, hauberk, gorget cleft the Vikings' blade.

From Project Gutenberg

Then the flap of the tent dashed aside, and forth strode a figure in silvered casque and hauberk.

From Project Gutenberg

You, poor imbecile, who carry under your hauberk four relics blessed by the Pope!

From Project Gutenberg

He wore no armor save the Valencia hauberk beneath his mantle; but Trenchefer was girded to his side.

From Project Gutenberg