Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SECRET, n. Sc. usage: a coat-of-mail concealed under one's ordinary clothes. Appar. of Sc. origin, used hist. by Scott.Sc. 1820 Scott Monastery xxiv.:
That light shirt of mail, which was called a secret, because worn instead of more ostensible armour to protect against private assassination.Sc. 1828 Scott F.M. Perth iv.:
He, therefore, wore under his jerkin a secret, or coat of chain-mail, made so light and flexible that it interfered as little with his movements as a modern under-waistcoat.
