surcoat Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a loose outer coat usually of rich material
  2. noun a tunic worn over a knight's armor

WordNet

Sur"coat` noun
Etymology
OE. surcote, OF. surcote. See Sur-, and Coat, and cf. Overcoat.
Definitions
  1. A coat worn over the other garments; especially, the long and flowing garment of knights, worn over the armor, and frequently emblazoned with the arms of the wearer.
    A long surcoat of pers upon he had.. Chaucer.
    At night, or in the rain, He dons a surcoat which he doffs at morn. Emerson.
  2. A name given to the outer garment of either sex at different epochs of the Middle Ages.

Webster 1913