gambeson

English

A 16th-century gambeson on display

Alternative forms

• gambison

Etymology

From Middle English gambison, from Old French gambeson, gambaison, from gambais, wambais (“quilted jerkin”), from Medieval Latin wambāsium (“doublet, waistcoat”), from Frankish *wamba (“abdomen, belly”), from Proto-Germanic *wambō (“belly, womb”): compare Middle High German wambeis, German Wams (“waistcoat, doublet”), from Old High German wamba (“stomach”). More at womb.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɡæm.bɪ.sən/

Noun

gambeson (plural gambesons)

1. (historical) A defensive garment formerly in use for the body, made of cloth stuffed and quilted, often worn as padding under armor.

   Coordinate terms: aketon, haustement, pourpoint

   • 1786, Francis Grose, A Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons, page 18:

     Although the gambeson was chiefly worn under the coat of mail, to protect the body from being bruised by the strokes of the sword or lance, a circumstance that might happen without a division of the mail, the verses quoted in the Siege of Karleverok, shew that it was sometimes worn as a fur coat, and ornamented with rich decorations.

Translations

armor

• Dutch: wambuis (nl) n
• Finnish: toppatakki (fi), gambesoni
• French: gambison (fr) m
• Italian: giaco (it) m
• Polish: przeszywanica f
• Portuguese: jaque (pt) m, jaquetão m

Anagrams

• Gambones, bangsome, emo bangs