[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

mail \mail\ m=al, n. oe. maile, maille, f. maille a ring of
   mail, mesh, network, a coat of mail, fr. l. macula spot, a
   mesh of a net. cf. macle, macula, mascle.
   1. a flexible fabric made of metal rings interlinked. it was
      used especially for defensive armor. --chaucer.
      1913 webster

   chain mail, coat of mail. see under chain, and coat.
      1913 webster

   2. hence generally, armor, or any defensive covering.
      1913 webster

   3. naut. a contrivance of interlinked rings, for rubbing
      off the loose hemp on lines and white cordage.
      1913 webster

   4. zool. any hard protective covering of an animal, as the
      scales and plates of reptiles, shell of a lobster, etc.
      1913 webster

            we . . . strip the lobster of his scarlet mail.
                                                  --gay.
      1913 webster
see also:
macle macula mascle chain mail coat of mail chain 
coat 

[2] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

coat \coat\ k=ot; 110, n. of. cote, f. cotte, petticoat,
   cotte d'armes coat of arms, cotte de mailles coat of mail,
   ll. cota, cotta, tunic, prob. of german origin; cf. ohg.
   chozzo coarse mantle, g. klotze, d. kot, hut, e. cot. cf.
   cot a hut.
   1. an outer garment fitting the upper part of the body;
      especially, such a garment worn by men.
      1913 webster

            let each
            his adamantine coat gird well.        --milton.
      1913 webster

   2. a petticoat. obs. "a child in coats." --locke.
      1913 webster

   3. the habit or vesture of an order of men, indicating the
      order or office; cloth.
      1913 webster

            men of his coat should be minding their prayers.
                                                  --swift.
      1913 webster

            she was sought by spirits of richest coat. --shak.
      1913 webster

   4. an external covering like a garment, as fur, skin, wool,
      husk, or bark; as, the horses coats were sleek.
      1913 webster

            fruit of all kinds, in coat
            rough or smooth rined, or bearded husk, or shell.
                                                  --milton.
      1913 webster

   5. a layer of any substance covering another; a cover; a
      tegument; as, the coats of the eye; the coats of an onion;
      a coat of tar or varnish.
      1913 webster

   6. same as coat of arms. see below.
      1913 webster

            hark, countrymen either renew the fight,
            or tear the lions out of england's coat. --shak.
      1913 webster

   7. a coat card. see below. obs.
      1913 webster

            here's a trick of discarded cards of us we were
            ranked with coats as long as old master lived.
                                                  --massinger.
      1913 webster

   coat armor. see under armor.

   coat of arms her., a translation of the french cotte
      d'armes, a garment of light material worn over the armor
      in the 15th and 16th centuries. this was often charged
      with the heraldic bearings of the wearer. hence, an
      heraldic achievement; the bearings of any person, taken
      together.

   coat card, a card bearing a coated figure; the king, queen,
      or knave of playing cards. "`i am a coat card indeed.'
      `then thou must needs be a knave, for thou art neither
      king nor queen.'" --rowley.

   coat link, a pair of buttons or studs joined by a link, to
      hold together the lappels of a double-breasted coat; or a
      button with a loop for a single-breasted coat.

   coat of mail, a defensive garment of chain mail. see chain
      mail, under chain.

   mast coat naut., a piece of canvas nailed around a mast,
      where it passes through the deck, to prevent water from
      getting below.

   sail coat naut., a canvas cover laced over furled sails,
      and the like, to keep them dry and clean.
      1913 webster
see also:
cot coat armor armor coat of arms coat card coat link 
coat of mail chain mail chain mast coat sail coat 

[3] : WordNet (r) 2.0

coat of mail
     n : armor that protects the wearer's whole body syn: body
         armor, body armour, suit of armor, suit of armour,
          cataphract
see also:
body armor body armour suit of armor suit of armour cataphract 

[4] : Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary

coat of mail
   the rendering of a hebrew word meaning "glittering" 1 sam.
   17:5, 38. the same word in the plural form is translated
   "habergeons" in 2 chr. 26:14 and neh. 4:16. the "harness" 1
   kings 22:34, "breastplate" isa. 59:17, and "brigandine" jer.
   46:4, were probably also corselets or coats of mail. see armour.
   
see also:
armour 

Coat >> C Words
Coat, definition of term: Coat
coat_pag1.html

Coat Hanger >> C Words
Coat Hanger, definition of term: Coat Hanger
coat+hanger_pag1.html

Chain Mail >> C Words
Chain Mail, definition of term: Chain Mail
chain+mail_pag1.html

Air Mail >> A Words
Air Mail, definition of term: Air Mail
air+mail_pag1.html

Bulk Mail >> B Words
Bulk Mail, definition of term: Bulk Mail
bulk+mail_pag1.html

Coat Of Arms >> C Words
Coat Of Arms, definition of term: Coat Of Arms
coat+of+arms_pag1.html