cuirass
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˈkwɪrəs/
:
coraza
- These cuirasses suggest a second skin, and the very distinction between the body and its coverings is, at first glance, uncertain.
- a cuirass and helmet
- steel cuirass
- wear a cuirass
Examples
-
The sun struck through the leaves, hitting the man's finely chased steel cuirass, which looked like a carved beetle's shell smoothly encasing his body.
Fiction book (1993) -
The swordpoint bit into his cloak and grated across the cuirass underneath, bringing the swordsman close for a moment, his face blank with surprise.
Fiction book (2001) -
His horse wasn't wearing a cuirass.
Fiction book (2001) -
The helmet, cuirass, and shield are all Hephaestus' work, totally unbreakable.
Fiction book (1996) -
He pictured Trumball in a conquistador's steel cuirass and helmet.
Fiction book (1999) -
He wore no flowing robes and no armor except a leather cuirass, and his black hair flew behind him in a braid.
Fiction book (1990) -
He crossed to the elaborate bronze cuirass and stroked its surface, ran his fingers through the bronze helmet's scarlet-dyed plumes.
Fiction book (1990) -
His leather leggings were studded with copper, and beside him rested a cuirass of laced bone splints lacquered bright scarlet.
Fiction book (1990) -
He wore the half-armor of a light horseman gorget, cuirass, steel gauntlets, mail sleeves, and plate tassets on his thighs.
Fiction book (2002) -
The knight donned his cuirass before entering the tournament to protect his chest during combat.
Synonyms
7
9.2
A piece of metal armor that covers the chest
How Protective
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word cuirass comes from the old French word cuir, meaning 'leather', because the first cuirasses were leather plates worn over the chest and back before metal ones became common. That's why cuirass now means a piece of armor that protects the chest and back.