tabard
[tab-erd]
- a loose outer garment, sleeveless or with short sleeves, especially one worn by a knight over his armor and usually emblazoned with his arms.
- an official garment of a herald, emblazoned with the arms of his master.
- a coarse, heavy, short coat, with or without sleeves, formerly worn outdoors.
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Origin of tabard
1250–1300; Middle English < Old French tabart
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
mantleshawlcopecloakwrappercardinalwrapponchogabardinetippetpelisseVandykecapotemantillatabarddolmanfichuberthamanteaumantellettaExamples from the Web for tabard
Contemporary Examples
And the tabard look was very fashionable lace tabard to go in to a train.
Historical Examples
The arms on the tabard, however, settle the question definitely.
Bell's Cathedrals: The Abbey Church of TewkesburyH. J. L. J. Mass
When I came nigh he turned, and thrust a bright something in 's tabard.
Long WillFlorence Converse
That of the Tabard must have been much larger, in order to accommodate so large a company.
South LondonSir Walter Besant
Chaucer tells us that the Tabard in Southwark was juste by the Belle.
Old Country Inns of EnglandHenry P. Maskell
This piece of dress appears to have been the same as the tabard.
Life of Sir William Wallace of Elderslie, Vol. I (of II)John D. Carrick
tabard
- a sleeveless or short-sleeved jacket, esp one worn by a herald, bearing a coat of arms, or by a knight over his armour
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Word Origin
C13: from Old French tabart, of uncertain origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for tabard
n.
mid-13c., from early Spanish tabardo and Old French tabart (12c.), of unknown origin. Originally a coarse, sleeveless upper garment worn by peasants, later a knight's surcoat (hence the name of the tavern in "Canterbury Tales").
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper