breastplate

[ brest-pleyt ]
/ ˈbrɛstˌpleɪt /

noun

a piece of plate armor partially or completely covering the front of the torso: used by itself or as part of a cuirass.
the part of the harness that runs across the chest of a saddle horse.
Judaism.
  1. a square, richly embroidered vestment ornamented with 12 precious stones, each inscribed with the name of one of the 12 tribes of Israel, secured to the ephod of the high priest and worn on the chest. Ex. 28:15–28.
  2. a rectangular ornament, typically of silver, suspended by a chain over the front of a scroll of the Torah.
a plate opposite the chuck end of a breast drill against which the operator's chest is placed.

Origin of breastplate

First recorded in 1350–1400, breastplate is from the Middle English word brestplate. See breast, plate1

Example sentences from the Web for breastplate

British Dictionary definitions for breastplate

breastplate
/ (ˈbrɛstˌpleɪt) /

noun

a piece of armour covering the chest
the strap of a harness covering a horse's breast
Judaism an ornamental silver plate hung on the scrolls of the Torah
Old Testament a square vestment ornamented with 12 precious stones, representing the 12 tribes of Israel, worn by the high priest when praying before the holy of holies
zoology a nontechnical name for plastron