Grice e Masci

 

The English word "coat" is derived from Latin through several historical stages, moving from Latin into Old French before entering Middle English.

 

Etymological Path

• Latin: The word originates from the Late Latin cotta(or cottus), which referred to an undercoat, tunic, or woolen garment.
• Old French: In the 12th century, it evolved into the Old French cote or cotte, meaning an "outer garment with sleeves" or a tunic.
• Middle English: By approximately 1300, it was adopted into English as cote or coate. 

Original Meaning and Roots

The Latin cotta is itself believed to have been borrowed from Proto-Germanic roots (kuttô), which meant "cowl" or "woolen cloth". This ultimately traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root *gʷewd-, referring generally to woolen clothes. 

Historical Usage

• Early Military Use: One of the earliest uses of the word in English was in "coat of mail" (chainmail), referring to a tunic-like garment made of metal rings.
• Heraldry: The term later evolved into the "coat of arms," which originally referred to the surcoat worn over armor that featured the wearer's heraldic symbols.