# Jackman

/ˈdʒækmən/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/jackman
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a soldier or servant who wears a protective leather jacket. This word is very old and you will mostly see it in history books or stories about the past.

For teachers: an armed retainer or soldier wearing a jack, which is a type of protective leather tunic. Primarily encountered in historical fiction or academic texts concerning the late medieval and early modern periods.

## Examples

- The jackman stood guard at the castle gate.
- The border lord arrived with a small troop of jackmen to enforce his claim on the land.
- In the historical chronicles of the Scottish Borders, the jackman is depicted as a versatile light cavalryman, valued for his mobility and the protection offered by his quilted leather doublet.

## Usage notes

- Typically refers to a specific historical role; rarely used in modern contexts outside of period-accurate descriptions.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.