The word "cotte" is spelled with a silent "e" at the end, which changes the pronunciation of the word. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is written as /kɒt/, with a short "o" sound and a "t" sound at the end. The silent "e" serves to indicate that the "o" is pronounced as a short vowel, rather than a long one as in the word "code." Although the word is not commonly used in modern English, it represents an important example of how silent letters can affect pronunciation.
Cotte is a noun that refers to a type of medieval armor worn to protect the torso and upper body. It is derived from the Old French word "cote," meaning "coat" or "tunic," which reflects its similarities to a garment.
A cotte typically consisted of a padded or quilted garment made of heavy fabric like linen or wool. It was sleeveless and designed to be worn beneath other armor pieces, such as a mail hauberk or plate armor. The primary purpose of the cotte was to provide additional protection and cushioning against the impact of weapons in battle.
The construction of a cotte often included several layers of fabric, which were quilted together to create a sturdy and resilient structure. Some versions of the cotte featured reinforced sections on the chest, back, or shoulders, using additional layers of fabric or metal plates to provide enhanced defense.
Cottes were widely used during the medieval period, particularly in Europe, from the 12th to 14th centuries. As armor technology evolved, the cotte eventually became obsolete and was replaced by more advanced plate armors. However, examples of cottes can still be found in museums and collections, providing valuable insights into the armor used by medieval warriors.
The word "cotte" has a Middle English origin and can be traced back to the Old French word "cote", meaning a coat or a cloak. In turn, "cote" was derived from the Latin word "cotta", which referred to a short tunic or a smock-like garment worn by men and women in ancient Rome. Over time, the spelling and the pronunciation evolved into the Middle English form "cotte", which was used to describe various types of outer garments like coats, cloaks, or jackets.