Definition

Noun: - A piece of plate armor protecting the forearm: A "lower cannon" is a specific component of historical European plate armor. It is a rigid, tubular piece of metal designed to encase and protect the forearm, from the elbow to the wrist. It is part of the arm harness.

Usage

• The term is used in historical, military, and reenactment contexts to describe medieval or Renaissance armor.
• It is a technical, specific term and is not used in everyday modern English.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• The "lower cannon" is part of a full arm harness, which typically consists of the upper cannon (protecting the upper arm), the couter (elbow), and the lower cannon (forearm).
• It is sometimes used interchangeably with "vambrace," though "vambrace" can more broadly refer to the entire forearm defense, which may be made of multiple plates including the lower cannon.

Variants and Related Words

• Vambrace (n): A piece of armor for the forearm; it may be a single piece or consist of several lames (strips) including the lower cannon.
• Upper Cannon (n): The piece of plate armor protecting the upper arm.
• Couter (n): The plate armor component that protects the elbow, connecting the upper and lower cannons.
• Arm Harness (n): The complete assembly of armor pieces for the arm.

Synonyms

• Forearm defense: A descriptive, non-technical synonym.
• Vambrace: A closely related term, though with a potentially broader meaning.

Related Phrases

• Plate armor: The full suit of armor made from large metal plates, of which the lower cannon is a part.
• Arm harness: The specific assembly of armor pieces for the arm.

Noun

1. cannon of plate armor protecting the forearm