cuirass

American  

[kwi-ras] / kwɪˈræs /

noun

1. Also called corselet.  defensive armor for the torso comprising a breastplate and backplate, originally made of leather.

2. either of the plates forming such armor.

3. any similar covering, as the protective armor of a ship.

4. Zoology. a hard shell or other covering forming an indurated defensive shield.

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verb (used with object)

1. to equip or cover with a cuirass.

cuirass British  

/ kwɪˈræs /

noun

1. a piece of armour, of leather or metal covering the chest and back

2. a hard outer protective covering of some animals, consisting of shell, plate, or scales

3. any similar protective covering, as on a ship

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verb

1. (tr) to equip with a cuirass

Etymology

Origin of cuirass

1425–75; < French cuirasse < Late Latin coriācea, noun use of feminine of coriāceus (adj.) leather, equivalent to Latin cori ( um ) leather + -āceus -aceous; replacing late Middle English curas < Middle French curasse, variant of cuirasse

Explanation

A cuirass is a piece of armor that covers the back and chest. It was worn during medieval times as part of a full suit of body armor or on its own. Cuirass came to English via the French word cuirasse, which itself originated from the Latin word corium, meaning leather. Cuirasses were originally made from leather, but were later constructed from metal or another rigid material. A metal cuirass could be very heavy, so it was sized to fit so that its weight would rest on the wearer's hips and not hang from his shoulders. Although they existed earlier, cuirasses were particularly popular during the Middle Ages.

Example Sentences

One of the scariest outfits is a “tosei” — “modern,” or post-17th-century — gusoku with multicolored lacing and flesh-colored cuirass.

From New York Times • Dec. 19, 2014

The parade cuirass carved with the chariot of the Sun god and two winged victories flanking a trophy show that the monumental fragment was once part of an imperial statue of the first century A.D.

From New York Times • Jun. 18, 2010

The coral amps up the green britches of El Greco’s portrait of the skeptical-looking Anastagi, along with the brilliant whites of his stockings, collar and cuffs, and his silvery cuirass.

From New York Times • Jan. 8, 2010

Plate engraving is supposed to have been discovered when someone threw a heap of wet linen over a steel cuirass, later found it patterned from the intaglio work on the steel.

From Time Magazine Archive

Fitting cuirass and swordbelt to his shoulders, he woke his herdsmen, woke Telemakhos, ordering all in arms.

From "The Odyssey" by Homer