gambeson
.
Searchable Lemmata: gambeson (AF), gambisoun (ME), gambeso (L), gambeson (MdE).
Alternate Forms: ambiso, cambissun, campeson, gaimbeson, gambaisun, gambassoun, gambaysun, gambeison, gambeisun, gambesio, gambeson, gambesona, gambesoun, gambesun, gambeyson, gambeysun, gambezionum, gambisio, gambiso, gambisoun, gambisum, gamboison, gameson, gamesun, gaumbeso, gaumbesoun, gaumbeyson, gaunbeyson, wadesun, wambasia, wambesoun, wambeysoun, wambisun, wanbasia.
Definitions and Defining Citations:
1(n.)
Garment;
a padded, quilted garment of the kind originally worn under the habergeon, hauberk or similar, which came to be worn over metal armour or instead of it. It could be made of precious cloth and emblazoned with arms. Moffat, R. (2012)a. On occasion, worn by women - see quote Lydg.Pilgr., c1475. Also cf. wambais.(ante 1200 - post 1875)
3. biens Lewelyn Bren trovez en la tresorie ... Ceo est assaver .i. aketon, .i. gaumbeyson, .i. peyre des quissens, .i. coleret de linge teille
[AND Cardiff Records (58) 1315/1320]
Sex: Male, Female Use: Military Status: High Ceremonial: No
Body Parts: Back, Chest.
Etymological Evidence:
Definite, From Old French. Also cf. the shorter form from Old French gambais, wambais, etc. Cf. ME/MdE wambais.
The OED adds: 'The forms seem to descend from a Rom. type wambésio (subj.), wambesióne (obj.), commonly taken to be an adoption of some compound or derivative of OTeut. wambâ belly (see WOMB). The MHG. wambeis, wambes (mod. Ger. wamms), Du. wambuis, wammes, were adopted from OF' [OED, 2nd ed. (1989), 'gambeson'].
WF:
Etym Cog: gambeson (OF).
References:
