Chain mail
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 A flexible defensive armor, made of a mesh of interlinked metal rings. uncountable, usually
"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 ring separately rivetted; this kind of mail answers to that worn on the ancient breast plates, whence they were denominated loricæ hammatæ, from the rings being hooked together."
- 2 A chain letter. collective, countable, sometimes, uncountable
- 3 (Middle Ages) flexible armor made of interlinked metal rings wordnet
Example
More examples"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 ring separately rivetted; this kind of mail answers to that worn on the ancient breast plates, whence they were denominated loricæ hammatæ, from the rings being hooked together."
Etymology
chain + mail; attested since the 1780s.
From mail.