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.
Phrases and idioms:
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.
Derivatives:
coated adj. (also in comb.).
Etymology: ME f. OF cote f. Rmc f. Frank., of unkn. orig.