byrnie

[ bur-nee ]

noun

, Armor.

1. a coat of mail; hauberk.

byrnie

/ ˈbɜːnɪ /

noun

1. an archaic word for coat of mail

Word History and Origins

Origin of byrnie¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of byrnie¹

Old English byrne ; related to Old Norse brynja , Gothic brunjō , Old High German brunnia coat of mail, Old Irish bruinne breast

Example Sentences

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

From Project Gutenberg

It is true that only one trace of a byrnie, and that apparently not of ring-mail, has so far been found in an Anglo-Saxon grave.

From Project Gutenberg

In l. 322, Falk takes hring-īren to refer to a "ring-adorned sword," though it may well mean a ring-byrnie.

From Project Gutenberg

Fragments of an iron byrnie, made of small rings fastened together, were found in the Vendel grave 12 (seventh century).

From Project Gutenberg

Odin rides first; with his golden helmet, resplendent byrnie, and his spear Gungner, he advances against the Fenris-wolf.

From Project Gutenberg