Hau"berk (h&add;"b&etilde;rk), n. [OF. hauberc, halberc, F. haubert, OHG. halsberc; hals neck + bergan to protect, G. bergen; akin to AS. healsbeorg, Icel. hālsbjörg. See Collar, and Bury, v. t.] A coat of mail; especially, the long coat of mail of the European Middle Ages, as contrasted with the habergeon, which is shorter and sometimes sleeveless. By old writers it is often used synonymously with habergeon. See Habergeon. [Written variously hauberg, hauberque, hawberk, etc.] Chaucer.

Helm, nor hawberk's twisted mail.

• (Armor) Category:Armor A coat of mail; especially, the long coat of mail of the European Middle Ages, as contrasted with the habergeon, which is shorter and sometimes sleeveless.
       Quotations
       *1786: The hauberk was a complete covering of mail from head to foot. It consisted of a hood, joined to a jacket with sleeves, breeches, stockings and shoes of double chain mail, to which were added gauntlets of the same construction. — Francis Grose, A Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons, page 14.
       *1909: The hauberk was to the Norman what the byrnie was to the Saxon, the chief method of bodily defence. — Charles Henry Ashdown, European Arms & Armor, page 65.