plate armour
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A type of personal body armor made from large, rigid metal plates: "Plate armour" refers to a historical suit of armor constructed from shaped and interlocking steel or iron plates designed to protect the wearer's body in combat.
Usage
- Plate armour is used as a non-count noun to describe the complete protective suit or the concept of this type of armor. It is typically discussed in historical, military, or reenactment contexts.
- Example:
- Example:
Advanced Usage
- The term can be used metonymically to represent the era or the warriors associated with it.
- Example: The age of plate armour and chivalry gradually came to an end with the proliferation of firearms.
Variants and Related Words
- Plate armor: The American English spelling variant.
- Full plate: A common synonymous phrase emphasizing a complete suit.
- Cuisse, greave, gauntlet, pauldron: These are nouns naming specific components (thigh, shin, hand, shoulder protection) that together constitute plate armour.
Synonyms
- Full plate armor/armour: A direct synonym.
- Harness (archaic): In a historical context, a "harness" could refer to a full suit of plate armour.
- Suits of armour: A more general term that can include plate armour.
Antonyms / Contrasting Concepts
- Mail / Chainmail: Armor made of interlinked metal rings, which preceded and was often worn with plate armour.
- Gambeson / Padded armor: A padded textile garment worn for protection, often underneath plate or mail.
- Modern body armor: Contemporary protective gear made from synthetic materials like Kevlar, not rigid metal plates.
Related Phrases and Concepts
- To don armour: The act of putting on plate armour.
- Example: The squire helped the knight to don his plate armour.
- Jousting armour: A specialized, heavier type of plate armour used in tournaments.
- Battlefield archaeology: A field where examples of historical plate armour are often studied and recovered.
Noun
- specially hardened steel plate used to protect fortifications or vehicles from enemy fire