Raincoat

Raincoat

Noun · /ˈreɪnkəʊt/ · a waterproof or water-resistant coat worn in rain

Definition

A raincoat is a coat designed to keep the wearer dry in wet weather. It is made from waterproof or water-resistant material — traditionally rubberised cotton or oilskin, and in modern production, treated nylon, polyester, or Gore-Tex. A raincoat typically extends to the hips or below and is worn over other clothing. It differs from an umbrella in that it protects the whole upper body, not just the top, and leaves the hands free.

Origin

A compound of rain (Old English regn) and coat (from Old French cote, a garment). The word appears in English from the early 19th century, coinciding with the invention of vulcanised rubber and macintosh fabric — the waterproof rubberised cotton patented by Charles Macintosh in 1823. A raincoat and a mac are the same garment; mac is simply the informal British term derived from the inventor's name.