surcoat

[ sur-koht ]

noun

1. a garment worn over medieval armor, often embroidered with heraldic arms.
2. an outer coat or other outer garment.

surcoat

/ ˈsɜːˌkəʊt /

noun

1. a tunic, often embroidered with heraldic arms, worn by a knight over his armour during the Middle Ages
2. an outer coat or other garment

Word History and Origins

Origin of surcoat¹

1300–50; Middle English surcote < Middle French. See sur- ¹, coat

Example Sentences

They wore brightly colored outer garments called surcoats over their armor.

From Los Angeles Times

They walked arm in arm in matching gold: his on his head, hers on her neck, and soldiers marched behind them, clad in gold surcoats commissioned for the occasion.

From Literature

Upon the black surcoats were embroidered in white a tree blossoming like snow beneath a silver crown and many-pointed stars.

From Literature

The little boy kneeled down to kiss his master’s hand— his surcoat, with the Malory bearings, looking absurdly new.

From Literature

His stallion’s spotted hindquarters were covered with ragged strips of cloth tom from the surcoats of men his master had slain.

From Literature

Related Words

• blouse
• coat
• jacket
• robe