cuirass
[ kwi-ras ]
/ kwɪˈræs /
noun
Also called corselet.
defensive armor for the torso comprising a breastplate and backplate, originally made of leather.
either of the plates forming such armor.
any similar covering, as the protective armor of a ship.
Zoology.
a hard shell or other covering forming an indurated defensive shield.
verb (used with object)
to equip or cover with a cuirass.
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
Words nearby cuirass
cui,
cui bono,
cui-ui,
cuiabá,
cuir-bouilli,
cuirass,
cuirassier,
cuirie,
cuisenaire rod,
cuisinart,
cuisine
Example sentences from the Web for cuirass
British Dictionary definitions for cuirass
cuirass
/ (kwɪˈræs) /
noun
a piece of armour, of leather or metal covering the chest and back
a hard outer protective covering of some animals, consisting of shell, plate, or scales
any similar protective covering, as on a ship
verb
(tr)
to equip with a cuirass
Word Origin for cuirass
C15: from French
cuirasse, from Late Latin
coriacea, from
coriaceus made of leather, from Latin
corium leather