brigandine

1. (historical) A coat of armor for the body, consisting of scales or plates, sometimes overlapping each other, generally of metal, sewn or riveted under or onto canvas or linen or other material.Examples: "Harness the horses; and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with your helmets; furbish the spears, and put on the brigandines."; "The brigandine takes its name from the troops, by which it was first worn, who were called brigans, they were a kind of light armed irregular foot, much addicted to plunder, whence it is probable the appellation of brigands was given to other freebooters."; "Red-haired and freckled, he wore a studded brigantine, high boots, fingerless leather gloves, and a quiver on his back."historical