greave

[ greev ]

noun

, Armor.

1. a piece of plate armor for the leg between the knee and the ankle, usually composed of front and back pieces.

greave

/ ɡriːv /

noun

1. often plural a piece of armour worn to protect the shin from the ankle to the knee

Derived Forms

• greaved, adjective

Other Words From

• greaved adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of greave¹

1300–50; Middle English greves (plural) < Old French < ?

Word History and Origins

Origin of greave¹

C14: from Old French greve, perhaps from graver to part the hair, of Germanic origin

Example Sentences

He, Hawberk, had negotiated for and secured the greave, and now the suit was complete.

From The Daily Beast

Did you continue the search so persistently without any certainty of the greave being still in existence?

From The Daily Beast

And when he came he cast his spear, striking the leg below the knee, but the greave turned off the spear, so strong was it.

From Project Gutenberg

One of them must have gnawed on my ankle some, between the greave and the heel-plate, but he couldn't quite get through.

From Project Gutenberg

The legionaries began putting on their armour, fastened the greave protecting the right leg, and took up bucklers and lances.

From Project Gutenberg

He must surely be a bit of a bigot, who would hastily pronounce that even Greave's Spiritual Quixotte is an irreligious work.

From Project Gutenberg

Griff—a valley-name in east Yorkshire, probably connected with 'greave,' which is common in Derbyshire.

From Project Gutenberg