hauberk

noun

hau·​berk ˈhȯ-(ˌ)bərk 

: a tunic of chain mail worn as defensive armor from the 12th to the 14th century

Illustration of hauberk

• 1 hauberk

Examples of hauberk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The use of hand protection in battle dates back to the late 12th century, when the mail sleeves of knights' mail vests (hauberks) were extended into something akin to a mitten, designed to be worn over a leather glove and including some mail to protect the fingers. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 19 Jan. 2024

On tournament day, to the king’s great chagrin, Each one left his hauberk behind at the inn. —Pat Myers, Washington Post, 21 July 2022

Word History

Etymology

Middle English hauberk, haubrek, borrowed from Anglo-French hauberc (also continental Old French), borrowed from Old Low Franconian *halsberg- (cognate with Old English healsbearh, halsbearh "mail tunic," Middle Dutch halsberch, Old High German halsberg, halsberga), from Germanic *halsa- "neck" + *-berga-, *-bergō- "protection" — more at harbor entry 1, collar entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

hauberk

noun

hau·​berk ˈhȯ-(ˌ)bərk 

: a tunic of chain mail worn as defensive armor from the 12th to the 14th century