SURCOAT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does surcoat mean? 

• SURCOAT (noun)
  The noun SURCOAT has 2 senses:

1. a loose outer coat usually of rich material

2. a tunic worn over a knight's armor

  Familiarity information: SURCOAT used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SURCOAT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A loose outer coat usually of rich material

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("surcoat" is a kind of...):

coat (an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A tunic worn over a knight's armor

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("surcoat" is a kind of...):

tunic (any of a variety of loose fitting cloaks extending to the hips or knees)

 Context examples 

He was a short man of great breadth of shoulder, with vizor closed, and no blazonry upon his simple white surcoat or plain black shield.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Then came two-score more archers, ten more men-at-arms, and finally a rear guard of twenty bowmen, with big John towering in the front rank and the veteran Aylward marching by the side, his battered harness and faded surcoat in strange contrast with the snow-white jupons and shining brigandines of his companions.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

In dashed Sir Nigel, and out again so swiftly that the eye could not follow the quick play of his blade, but a trickle of blood from the stranger's shoulder, and a rapidly widening red smudge upon his white surcoat, showed where the thrust had taken effect.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

A white surcoat with the lion of St. George in red upon the centre covered his broad breast, while a sprig of new-plucked broom at the side of his head-gear gave a touch of gayety and grace to his grim, war-worn equipment.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

From within came wild screamings and the clash of steel, and then the two emerged once more, their swords and forearms reddened with blood, while John bore over his shoulder the senseless body of a man whose gay surcoat, adorned with the lions and towers of Castile, proclaimed him to belong to the royal house.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)