A surcoat is a type of outer garment that was commonly worn during the medieval period. It was typically worn over armor, but it could also be worn over other clothing. The surcoat was sleeveless and had a round or square neck, although some versions had hoods and full sleeves. It was made of fabric and was designed to protect the wearer from the elements, such as cold, wind, and rain. The surcoat was also used to provide an additional layer of warmth and to keep armor from rusting. Additionally, it served as a sort of uniform, enabling one's troops to be easily identified in the heat of battle. The surcoat was not just a utilitarian garment, however. It was also a fashion statement. It was often decorated with elaborate designs, such as coats of arms, and was made of luxurious fabrics, such as silk and velvet. The surcoat was also used to indicate a person's social standing or profession. For example, knights wore surcoats that were emblazoned with their coats of arms, while members of the clergy wore surcoats that were decorated with religious symbols. Despite its popularity during the medieval period, the surcoat eventually fell out of fashion. It was replaced by other types of outerwear, such as the coat and the jacket. However, the surcoat continues to be used in some modern contexts, such as in historical reenactments and in fantasy literature and media.
medieval period, armor, protection, fashion, social standing
Surcoat is the name of the outer garment worn by medieval knights, over the armor and other clothing, to protect themselves from cold, wind and rain. It is typically sleeveless with a round or square neck, though versions with hoods and full sleeves were not uncommon and can still be found today. Equivalent words for 'Surcoat' in various languages are: Bliaut in French, Juppe in German, Giuppe in Italian, Túnica in Spanish, Gwaed in Welsh, Kleid in Dutch, Nache in Polish, Manto in Portuguese, and Diár in Greek.
Surcoat, Bliaut, Juppe, Giuppe, Túnica, Gwaed, Kleid, Nache, Manto, Diár, Outer garment, Medieval knight, Armor, Clothing, Protection, Wind, Rain, Sleeveless, Round, Square, Neck, Hood, Full sleeve.
The word surcoat is derived from the Middle English term surcote, which in turn comes from the Old French word surcote. The French word is compound of two parts, the first part being sur, which is derived from the Latin sursum, meaning over or above, and the second part cote, from the Latin cotta, meaning garment. This term, which is also known as a tunic, was originally referred to a garment worn over armor in medieval period and eventually came to refer to any type of sleeved, knee-length gown. The garments served a variety of utilitarian and fashion purposes. They were used to protect metal and plate armor from the elements, to keep the armor from rusting, and to provide an additional layer of warmth. Additionally, they afforded some additional protection in battle, and even acted as a sort of uniform, enabling one's troops to be easily identified in the heat of battle.
Etymology, Morphology, Pragmatics, Middle English, Old French
Surcoat is a noun derived from Middle English surcote, from Old French, from sur ‘over’ + cote ‘coat’. Synonyms for the word surcoat include dress, cloak, garb, gown, mantle, robe, and tabard. Antonyms for surcoat include undershirt or undershirt, t-shirt, tank top, and undershirt. Cognates for surcoat include supercoot, surcotta, and surcot. Variants of surcoat include surcotte, surcotty, surcottee, surcottie, and surcott.
Etymology, Morphology, Surcoat, Definition, Origin, Word, Comparative, Relatedness.
CITATION : "George Adrian Postea. 'Surcoat.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=218304 (Accessed on April 27, 2025)"
A surcoat is a type of topwear used in anime, comics and manga to draw characters’ costumes and attire. It is a type of cloak that is typically made of fabric and goes over the shirt, with a typical length to the mid- thigh, but can vary between characters. Its appearance ranges from being plain, to having fabric designs or tassels, belts and other decorations. The surcoat is often used to distinguish between characters and to give them a unique signature look. They also often indicate a character’s social standing or profession.
Surcoat, topwear, anime, manga, comics, costumes, attire, cloaks, fabric, length, decorations, social standing, profession.
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