pl. Hist. In 5 chauces, 6 chauses. [a. OF. chauces, mod.F. chausses = Pr. calsas, caussas, Sp. calzas, Pg. calças, It. calze, calzi, med.L. calcias, pl. of calcia, clothing for the legs, trousers, breeches, pantaloons, drawers, hose, stockings; f. L. calceus, calcius, shoe, half-boot.]
Pantaloons or tight coverings for the legs and feet; esp. of mail, forming part of a knight’s armor (in OF. chances de fer).
1484. Caxton, Chyualry, 61. Chauces of yron or legge harnoys ben gyuen to a knyght.
1599. Thynne, Animadv. (1875), 14. Thus hathe the Antique recordes of Domus Regni Anglie, ca. 53 … the messengers of the kinges howse … shalbe allowed for their Chauses yerely iiijs. viijd.
1834. Planché, Brit. Costume, 55. Long stockings or pantaloons with feet to them, called by the Normans ‘Chausses.’
1850. C. Boutell, in Gentl. Mag., II. 45. The lower limbs have jambarts … strapped over the mail chausses.
