Medieval Glossary
Cuirass
A piece of armour that protects the chest and the back. The term originated from the French term cuir, meaning 'leather.' A cuirass was originally a jerkin, or garment of leather for soldiers, that was very thick and strong. The name was afterwards applied to a portion of armour made of metal, consisting of a backplate and breastplate hooked or buckled together.
Related term(s): Jerkin; Backplate; Breastplate; Anime; Anima; Animetta
Category: Armour and Shields
Added: 08.05.05
Source information:
Wilhelm, Thomas. A Military Dictionary and Gazetteer. Philadelphia: L.R. Hamersly & Co., 1881. 123.
Browse
List medieval glossary terms alphabetically:
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
H |
I |
J |
K |
L |
M |
N |
O |
P |
Q |
R |
S |
T |
U |
V |
W |
X |
Y |
Z