chain mail
Chain mail is the protective material that knights wear as part of a suit of armor. Made from small circles of metal, chain mail defends against slashing swords (not so much against fire-breathing dragons).
Chain mail is a flexible mesh material — basically a metal fabric. It's effective at protecting knights from cutting and slashing weapons, but somewhat less protective against sharp thrusting blades. In the Middle Ages, the shirt known as a hauberk was made of chain mail, and it provided a relatively lightweight alternative to hard, heavy plate armor. Sometimes chain mail is just called mail, from the Old French maille, "mesh."
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(Middle Ages) flexible armor made of interlinked metal rings
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synonyms:
chain armor, chain armour, mail, ring armor, ring armour, ring mail
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types:
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brigandine
a medieval coat of chain mail consisting of metal rings sewn onto leather or cloth
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habergeon
(Middle Ages) a light sleeveless coat of chain mail worn under the hauberk
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byrnie, hauberk
a long (usually sleeveless) tunic of chain mail formerly worn as defensive armor
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gusset, voider
a piece of chain mail covering a place unprotected by armor plate
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type of:
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body armor, body armour, cataphract, coat of mail, suit of armor, suit of armour
armor that protects the wearer's whole body
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