Forms: 5 brigantyn, (bregandyrn, -ardyn), brig-, bryga(u)ndyn(e, (Sc. brikcane-, brekanetyne), 5–6 brigandyne, 6 bregendine, (? 7 brigintine), 6– brigandine, -tine. [Late ME., a. OF. brigandine (15th c. in Littré): i.e., armor for a brigand (in the original sense): see -INE.]
1. ‘Body armour composed of iron rings or small thin iron plates, sewed upon canvas, linen, or leather, and covered over with similar materials’ (Planché, Cycl. Cost.); orig. worn by foot-soldiers and at first in two halves, hence in early quots. in plural or as pair of brigandines; less strictly perh. = ‘coat of mail, corslet.’ See BRIGANDER.
c. 1456. Eng. Chron. (Camden), 66. Armed in a peire of brigaundynez.
1465. Paston Lett., 99, I. 134. J peyr of Bregandyrns kevert with blew fellewet and gylt naile, with legharneyse, the vallew of the gown and the bregardyns viij li.
1489. Acta Dom. Concilii, 132 (Jam.). The said Schir Mongo haid the brikcanetynes contenit in the summondis.
1548. Udall, etc., Erasm. Par. Mark, Pref. 4. They haue theyr brigandyne, theyr souldiers girdle.
1567. Lanc. Wills, II. 86. A payre of bregendines.
1591. Garrard, Art Warre, 9. The Halberdier, who is armed either with Brigandine or Corslet.
1611. Bible, Jer. xlvi. Furbish the speares, and put on the brigandines [Wyclif habiriownus; Coverd. brest-plates; Vulg. loricis].
1671. Milton, Samson, 1120. Put on all thy gorgeous arms, thy helmet And Brigandine of brass, thy broad habergeon.
1808. Scott, Marm., V. ii. Their brigantines, and gorgets light. Ibid. (1825), Talism. (1854), 337. He had finished adjusting his hauberk and brigandine.
1874. Boutell, Arms & Arm., viii. 146. A brigandine … which is covered over with small iron plates of various forms, and may be called a studded tunic.
2. attrib.
1863. J. G. Nichols, Herald & Geneal., June, 438. Edward Lyttelton … in a white dress having a peascod-shaped body, probably of brigandine armour.
