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breastplate

breastplate

7 9.2
A piece of metal armor that covers the chest
  • noun
  • /ˈbrɛstˌpleɪt/
translation icon : pechera
  • The knight's shiny breastplate protected him during the fierce battle.
  • wear a breastplate
  • leather breastplate
  • iron breastplate

Defensively they bore the scutum shield, a helmet, and some form of breastplate in accordance with their means.

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Examples

  • "At once, your Majesty," Vanion replied, clashing his mailed fist against his breastplate in salute.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Atop these mounts, Greek soldiers wear similar uniforms to the foot troops, with the main difference being their plasteel breastplate and tall riding boots.

  • So whoever stole the breastplate is trying to find the sword.

  • I'm wearing a lead breastplate!

  • So it came to be known as Aaron's breastplate.

  • We don't even have the breastplate.

  • Athena, for example, is shown in her helmet and breastplate.

    Academic text (2012)
  • The tribe's chiefs and most affluent members wear a breastplate made of shells to display this wealth.

    Academic text (2006)
  • The Batiri with the dinosaur-hide breastplate loomed over the guard, fury dancing across his features.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • "The prince leaned over and tapped Galt soundly on his leather breastplate."

    Fiction book (1993)

Synonyms

cuirass
vsbreastplate
1 9.9

A piece of armor that covers the chest and back, worn by knights

is only the front part of torso armor and not the back
aegis
vsbreastplate
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A piece of armor that covers the chest

is the front structural piece of torso armor not the whole set
plastron
vsbreastplate
  • Archaic
9.9

A metal breastplate worn under chain mail to protect the chest

is the front piece of torso armor rather than an underlayer
corselet
vsbreastplate
  • Archaic
9.9

A piece of armor that covers the chest and back

is the single front plate of that trunk armor not its back component

Compounds

sailor's breastplate
  • Specialized
9.9

A knot for tying a rope around a cannon so sailors can pull it

How Protective

cuirass
1 9.9
breastplate
7 9.2
to jacket
1 6.8
vest
  • US
62 1.4
clothes
1.0

Surface Forms

breastplate singular
breastplates plural

Morphology

breastplate = breast + plate (transparent) = breast + plate

The word is a straightforward compound meaning a plate that covers the breast/chest, so its meaning follows directly from its parts.

Etymology

The word breastplate is made of two simple words, breast ('chest') and plate ('flat piece'), so it literally means a 'plate' that covers the chest. That's why a breastplate is armor that protects your chest.