byrnie
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of byrnie
1325–75; Middle English byrny, Scottish variant of brynie, brinie < Old Norse brynja, cognate with Old English byrne coat of mail, Old High German brunnia
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Unferth stood beside him, his huge arms folded on his byrnie.
From "Grendel" by John Gardner
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Then, going to the place where he was wont to sleep, he armed himself, girding his byrnie on his breast and his golden helm upon his head, and taking shield and spear in his hand.
From Eric Brighteyes by Haggard, Henry Rider
They, like Dalfin, would wear neither helm nor byrnie.
From A Sea Queen's Sailing by Whistler, Charles W. (Charles Watts)
These were the helmet Hildegolt; the byrnie Finnsleif, which no steel could scathe; and the gold ring called Sviagris, which had 216 belonged to Adils’ forefathers.
From The Younger Edda Also called Snorre's Edda, or The Prose Edda by Anderson, Rasmus Björn
So I made no delay, but took off my byrnie and garments.
From A Prince of Cornwall A Story of Glastonbury and the West in the Days of Ina of Wessex by Whistler, Charles W. (Charles Watts)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.