Sentence:  <WSD>Chain mail</WSD> is formed by a number of iron rings, each ring having four others inserted into it, the whole exhibiting a kind of net work, with circular meshes, every ring separately rivetted; this kind of mail answers to that worn on the ancient breast plates, whence they were denominated loricæ hammatæ, from the rings being hooked together. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  A flexible defensive armor, made of a mesh of interlinked metal rings.