coat

Etymology

From Middle English cote, coate, cotte, from Old French cote, cotte (“outer garment with sleeves”), from Latin cotta (“undercoat, tunic”), from Proto-Germanic *kuttô, *kuttǭ (“cowl, woolen cloth, coat”), from Proto-Indo-European *gʷewd-, *gud- (“woolen clothes”). Cognate with Old High German kozza, kozzo (“woolen coat”) (German Kotze (“coarse woolen blanket; woolen cape”)), Middle Low German kot (“coat”), Ancient Greek βεῦδος (beûdos, “woman's attire”).

noun

1. (countable) An outer garment covering the upper torso and arms.ᵂᵖ
2. (countable) A covering of material, such as paint.ᵂᵖ
3. (countable) The fur or feathers covering an animal's skin.ᵂᵖ
   When the dog shed its coat, it left hair all over the furniture and the carpet.
4. (uncountable, nautical) Canvas painted with thick tar and secured round a mast or bowsprit to prevent water running down the sides into the hold (now made of rubber or leather).
5. (obsolete) A petticoat.
6. The habit or vesture of an order of men, indicating the order or office; cloth.
   Men of his coat should be minding their prayers. 1729, Jonathan Swift, The Grand Question Debated of Hamilton's Bawn
   She was sought by spirits of richest coat. 1609, William Shakespeare, A Lover's Compaint
7. A coat of arms.ᵂᵖ
8. A coat card.
   Here's a trick of discarded cards of us! We were ranked with coats as long as old master lived. 1656, Thomas Middleton, William Rowley, Philip Massinger, The Old Law

verb

1. (transitive) To cover with a coating of some material.
   The frying pan was coated with a layer of non-stick material, making it easier to wash.
   Door grab handles have been coated with an anti-microbial finish. January 13 2021, “Fleet News: Final Avanti West Coast Super Voyager refurbished”, in RAIL, issue 922, page 23
2. (transitive) To cover like a coat.
3. (transitive, archaic) To clothe.