Emily Dickinson Lexicon

COAT, n. [Fr. cotte; It cotta; Ir. cota; Corn. kota; Pol. kotz. It may be from the root of the Russ. kutayu, to cover, and be allied to hut. The primary sense may be, that which is spread over or put on. But such words are sometimes from verbs which signify to strip, or to repel. The Gr. κευθω, has the like elements, but the sense seems to be, to withdraw. I question whether coat has any connection with the Shemitic כתן, Gr. χιτων, a tunic. This word in Ch. Syr. and Ar. signifies flax.]

1. An upper garment, of whatever material it may be made. The word is, in modern times, generally applied to the garment worn by men next over the vest. God made coats of skin and clothed them. – Gen. iii. Jacob made Joseph a coat of many colors. – Gen. xxxvii. He shalt put on the holy linen coat. – Lev. xvi. Goliath was armed with a coat of mail. – 1 Sam. xvii.
2. A petticoat; a garment worn by infants or young children. – Locke.
3. The habit or vesture of an order of men, indicating the order or office. Men of his coat should be minding their prayers. – Swift. So we say, “men of his cloth.”
4. External covering, as the fur or hair of a beast, the skin of serpents, the wool of sheep, &c. – Milton.
5. A tunic of the eye; a membrane that serves as a cover; a tegument. – Derham.
6. The division or layer of a bulbous root; as, the coats of an onion.
7. A cover; a layer of any substance covering another; as, a coat of tar, pitch, or varnish; a coat of canvas round a mast; a coal of tin-foil.
8. That on which ensigns armorial are portrayed, usually called a coat of arms. Anciently knights wore a habit over their arms, reaching as low as the navel, open at the sides, with short sleeves, on which were the armories of the knights, embroidered in gold and silver, and enameled with beaten tin of various colors. This habit was diversified with bands and fillets of several colors, placed alternately, and called devises, as being divided and composed of several pieces sewed together. The representation of these is still called a coat of arms.
9. A coat of mail, is a piece of armor, in form of a shirt, consisting of a net-work of iron rings.
10. A card; a coat-card, is one on which a king, queen, or knave is painted.