byrnie

American  

[bur-nee] / ˈbɜr ni /

noun

Armor.

1. a coat of mail; hauberk.

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byrnie British  

/ ˈbɜːnɪ /

noun

1. an archaic word for coat of mail

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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

Unferth stood beside him, his huge arms folded on his byrnie.

From "Grendel" by John Gardner

And we are told in the Icelandic that Odin, whilst he gave a sword to Sigmund, gave a helm and byrnie to Hermoth.

From Beowulf An Introduction to the Study of the Poem with a Discussion of the Stories of Offa and Finn by Chambers, R. W.

Then he entered the cave and set a plain black steel helm upon his black locks, and a black chain byrnie about his breast.

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)

Eric might not bear this sight, for his heart beat within him as though it would burst the byrnie over it.

From Eric Brighteyes by Haggard, Henry Rider