cataphract

(ˈkætəˌfrækt)

a defensive armour, often made of link mail, used for the entire body

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Switch to new thesaurus

Noun 1. cataphract - armor that protects the wearer's whole body

body armor, body armour, coat of mail, suit of armor, suit of armour

armet - a medieval helmet with a visor and a neck guard

armor, armour - protective covering made of metal and used in combat

basinet - a medieval steel helmet

brassard - armor plate that protects the arm

breastplate, egis, aegis - armor plate that protects the chest; the front part of a cuirass

bulletproof vest - a vest capable of resisting the impact of a bullet

cannon - (Middle Ages) a cylindrical piece of armor plate to protect the arm

casque - (15-16th century) any armor for the head; usually ornate without a visor

chain armor, chain armour, chain mail, ring armor, ring armour, ring mail, mail - (Middle Ages) flexible armor made of interlinked metal rings

corselet, corslet - a piece of body armor for the trunk; usually consists of a breastplate and back piece

cubitiere - body armor that protects the elbow

cuirass - medieval body armor that covers the chest and back

cuisse - armor plate that protects the thigh

epauliere - armor plate that protects the shoulder

fauld - a piece of armor plate below the breastplate

metal glove, gantlet, gauntlet - a glove of armored leather; protects the hand

gorget - armor plate that protects the neck

greave, jambeau - armor plate that protects legs below the knee

helmet - armor plate that protects the head

knee piece - armor plate that protects the knee

nosepiece - armor plate that protects the nose

pallette, palette - one of the rounded armor plates at the armpits of a suit of armor

rerebrace, upper cannon - cannon that provides plate armor for the upper arm

roundel - round piece of armor plate that protects the armpit

skirt of tasses - armor plate that protects the body below the waist

sabaton, solleret - armor plate that protects the foot; consists of mail with a solid toe and heel

tasse, tasset - one of two pieces of armor plate hanging from the fauld to protect the upper thighs

tuille - armor plate that protects the hip and thigh

lower cannon, vambrace - cannon of plate armor protecting the forearm

gusset, voider - a piece of chain mail covering a place unprotected by armor plate

Mentioned in ?

References in periodicals archive ?

Next came the 'cataphract' cavalry, both men and horses acquiring that name from the nature of their panoply; they numbered fifteen hundred.

The Seleucid War Against the Jews: Hanukkah, which is an event of both historical and religious importance, recalls a time when Jews fought battles to be able to continue to practice their religion, and won

At first, Publius achieved some success with his Gaulish light cavalry, who outmanoeuvred the heavily armoured Parthians cataphracts. But the Parthians drew Publius from the main Roman force and surrounded his troop, wiping them out and killing him.

The Battle of Carrhae (53BC) - 'Ambition without ability can be a dubious blessing'