chain mail

/ˌtʃeɪn ˈmeɪl/

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."

Definitions of chain mail

1. noun

   (Middle Ages) flexible armor made of interlinked metal rings
   synonyms: chain armor, chain armour, mail, ring armor, ring armour, ring mail

   types:

   brigandine

   a medieval coat of chain mail consisting of metal rings sewn onto leather or cloth

   habergeon

   (Middle Ages) a light sleeveless coat of chain mail worn under the hauberk

   byrnie, hauberk

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

   gusset, voider

   a piece of chain mail covering a place unprotected by armor plate

   type of:

   body armor, body armour, cataphract, coat of mail, suit of armor, suit of armour

   armor that protects the wearer's whole body