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

Those among the audience who have been carefully reading the translation up to this point, here look up and closely watch Siegfried's proceedings, being evidently uncertain as to what "his byrnie" may be.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 102, June 18, 1892 by Various

Ger. brunige, br�nje, br�nne, a cuirass or coat of mail, O. Eng. byrnie, and O.H.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3 "Brescia" to "Bulgaria" by Various

The blow falls on his shield, and shears off the side of it, then strikes the byrnie beneath, but lightly.

From Eric Brighteyes by Haggard, Henry Rider

The mediaeval warrior has a heavy byrnie as well as a great shield suspended from his neck.

From Homer and His Age by Lang, Andrew