chausses

American  

[shohs] / ʃoʊs /

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. medieval armor of mail for the legs and feet.

2. tights worn by men in medieval times over the legs and feet.

---

chausses British  

/ ʃəʊs /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) a tight-fitting medieval garment covering the feet and legs, usually made of chain mail

---

Etymology

Origin of chausses

1350–1400; Middle English chauces < Middle French, plural of chauce ≪ Latin calceus shoe, equivalent to calc- (stem of calx ) heel + -eus -eous

Example Sentences

Some also wore chausses, or leggings and, by the 15th century, the two pieces more or less became one.

From National Geographic • Jan. 9, 2024

Ancient Egyptians had schenti, Romans wore subligaculum, and the Medieval world embraced braies and chausses before the introduction of the codpiece during the Renaissance.

From National Geographic • Jan. 9, 2024

Knight in surcoat, mail hauberk and chausses, shield on left side.

From Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Wells A Description of Its Fabric and a Brief History of the Episcopal See by Dearmer, Percy

On which the essayist's comment is "Tout cela ne va pas trop mal; mais quoy! ils ne portent point de hault de chausses," a truly Rabelaisian reason for their want of intellect!

From The Story of Rouen by Cook, Theodore Andrea, Sir

By chausses was meant what we now call long stockings or hose.

From Manners, Customs, and Dress During the Middle Ages and During the Renaissance Period by Jacob, P. L.