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gorget

American  
[gawr-jit] / ˈgɔr dʒɪt /

noun

  1. a patch on the throat of a bird or other animal, distinguished by its color, texture, etc.

  2. a piece of armor for the throat.

  3. a crescent-shaped ornament worn on a chain around the neck as a badge of rank by officers in the 17th and 18th centuries.

  4. a wimple of the Middle Ages, worn with the ends fastened in the hair.


gorget British  
/ ˈɡɔːdʒɪt /

noun

  1. a collar-like piece of armour worn to protect the throat

  2. a part of a wimple worn by women to cover the throat and chest, esp in the 14th century

  3. a band of distinctive colour on the throat of an animal, esp a bird

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of gorget

1425–75; late Middle English < Old French. See gorge 1, -et


Explanation

A gorget is a special piece of armor that protects a soldier's neck. Medieval suits of armor commonly included a circular gorget that fit under the metal breastplate. If you've ever seen pictures of suits of armor worn by knights, you've probably seen a gorget. Through different eras, it changed from a leather collar to a steel plate, or a series of interconnected plates, all intended to protect the neck and throat during battle. The original gorget was simply a Medieval woman's linen neck scarf. The root of gorget is the Old French word gorge, which means "throat."

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Vocabulary lists containing gorget

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

He fumbled, and the gorget he was trying to fit around Robert's thick neck tumbled to the ground.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin

Renly lifted his chin to allow Brienne to fasten his gorget in place.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

Thick-fingered hands unfas-tened helm from gorget and lifted it off gently.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin

He had to make do with oddments assembled from Lord Lefford's wagons: mail hauberk and coif, a dead knight's gorget, lobstered greaves and gauntlets and pointed steel boots.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin

The same was true of his helm, his gorget, greaves, and gauntlets, and the rest of his mismatched plate.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

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