Tunic

( Tunique, Fr. ) A coat with short sleeves above the elbow; a tunic. It derives its name from the Latin word Tunica, a close coat, which was the common garment worn within doors by itself, and abroad under the gown. It was distinguished by different names among the Romans, corresponding with the several cla es of the people that were clothed according to their rank in life. See Kennett’s Roman Antiquities, p. 311, . This sort of clothing is still worn in the east, and was prevalent among the French after their return from the crusades to the Holy Land. They adopted it from the Saracens, and seemed ambitious of appearing in a garb which bore testimony to their feats of valor. These tunics, which were converted into a sort of uniform, obtained the name of Saladines among the French, in compliment to the emperor Salad in. Hence too the origin of Salade , which not only signified the armor that was worn beneath the tunic or saladine , but also the light helmet of that name.