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 defensive armor for the torso comprising a breastplate and backplate, originally made of leather.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

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