Definition

Noun: 1. A piece of armor for the arm: A protective plate or covering, typically made of metal or hardened leather, worn on the arm for defense in historical combat. 2. An armband or sleeve badge: A band of cloth worn around the upper arm, often to signify rank, membership in a group, or a specific function (e.g., medical personnel, official at an event). This is a more modern, extended meaning.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Historical Armor):

  • The knight's brassard was intricately engraved and protected his forearm from sword blows.
  • A complete suit of plate armor included pauldrons for the shoulders and brassards for the arms.

• Noun (Modern Armband):

  • Volunteers at the marathon wore a fluorescent yellow brassard for easy identification.
  • The officer's brassard displayed his rank insignia.

Advanced Usage

• "To wear the brassard of...": To serve in the official capacity indicated by the armband.
  • During the crisis, she wore the brassard of a medical responder.

Variants and Related Words

• Vambrace (n): A specific type of armor that protects the forearm; often used synonymously with in a historical context.
• Couter (n): The piece of armor specifically protecting the elbow, which is often attached to or part of a brassard.
• Armlet (n): A decorative band worn around the arm, but not typically for protection or official duty.

Synonyms

• Arm guard (n): A general term for protective arm covering.
• Vambrace (n): (As above, for armor).
• Armband (n): (For the modern cloth version).

Related Phrases

• Identification brassard: Specifies an armband used for recognizing a person's role or authority.
  • Security personnel must display their identification brassard at all times.

Noun

1. armor plate that protects the arm