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.

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chausses British  

/ ʃəʊs /

noun

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

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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

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

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

He describes them as "mal chausses, mal vetus, et n'ayant point d'uniforme dans leurs habits, si ce n'est qu'ils sont tous fort mauvais."

From The History of England, from the Accession of James II — Volume 3 by Macaulay, Thomas Babington Macaulay, Baron

Thus the garments known by them as braies, and by the Parthians as sarabara, doubtless gave origin to those which have been respectively called by us chausses, haut-de-chausses, trousses, grègues, culottes, pantalons, &c.

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

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