Old English byrne; related to Old Norse brynja, Gothic brunjō, Old High German brunnia coat of mail, Old Irish bruinne breast
coat of mail in British English
noun
a protective garment made of linked metal rings (mail) or of overlapping metal plates; hauberk
byrnie in American English
(ˈbɜːrni)
noun
Armor
a coat of mail; hauberk
Word origin
[1325–75; ME byrny, Scot var. of brynie, brinie ‹ ON brynja, c. OE byrne coat of mail, OHG brunnia]This word is first recorded in the period 1325–75. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: center, direct, native, report, reserve