mainˈferre Obs. exc. Hist.
Also 5 maynefere, 7 mainefeere, mainefaire, (8–9 Hist. mane-, manifaire).
[Perh. repr. F. main ferrée (iron-clad hand) or main-de-fer (hand of iron): the latter occurs in this sense in Viollet-le-Duc Dict. Mobilier fran{cced}ais (1874) V. 449.]
Some piece of armour; prob. the gauntlet for the left arm, of which examples are preserved.
| c 1470 in Archæologia XVII. 292 A maynefere with a ryngge. a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. IV 12 Some had the mainferres, the close gantlettes the quissettes the flancardes dropped & gutted with red. 1631 in Archæologia XXXVII. 486 The horse's furniture being a saddle, barbe, crinett,..and for the man 2 grangardes, 2 pasgardes, 2 mainefeeres, 2 peer of vambraces [etc.]. 1660 Surv. Armoury Tower in Archæologia XI. 99 Masking armor complete, reported to be made for king Henry the Seventh... Mainefaires, russet, white. 1786 Grose Anc. Armour 30 [Writes the word as manefaire, and erroneously refers it to mane n.; hence he treats it as synonymous with criniere. So in Meyrick 1824.] 1830 James Darnley x, With his chanfron, snaffle-bit, manifaire, and fluted poitrel. 1844 ― Agincourt I. 77. |