n. & v.
n. 1 an outer garment with sleeves and often extending below the hips; an overcoat or jacket. 2 a an animal's fur, hair, etc. b Physiol. a structure, esp. a membrane, enclosing or lining an organ. c a skin, rind, or husk. d a layer of a bulb etc. 3 a a layer or covering. b a covering of paint etc. laid on a surface at one time.
v.tr. 1 (usu. foll. by with, in) a apply a coat of paint etc. to; provide with a layer or covering. b (as coated adj.) covered with. 2 (of paint etc.) form a covering to. coat armour coats of arms. coat dress a woman's tailored dress resembling a coat. coat-hanger see HANGER(1). coat of arms the heraldic bearings or shield of a person, family, or corporation. coat of mail a jacket of mail armour (see MAIL(2)). on a person's coat-tails undeservedly benefiting from another's success. coated adj. (also in comb.).
[ ME f. OF cote f. Rmc f. Frank., of unkn. orig. ]