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.

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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

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Other Word Forms

• gorgeted adjective

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."

Example Sentences

Deep shiny gashes gleamed all over the knight's armor, on his right thigh, his beaked visor, crossing on his breastplate, a long one along the front of his gorget.

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

Shae lowered the greathelm down over his head, and Pod fastened it to his gorget.

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

A skirt of lobstered metal cov-ered him from waist to midthigh, while a solid gorget encircled his throat.

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

His left greave did not match his right, his gorget was spotted with rust, his vambraces rich and ornate, inlaid with niello flowers.

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