cuirass noun & verb. [kwɪ'ras] Also curats. LME.
[Old French cuirace, later curas, -ace (mod. cuirasse), from alt. (after Old & mod. French cuir leather) of Proto-Romance use as noun of fem. of Latin coriaceus adjective, from corium leather: see -ACEOUS.]
A. noun.
1. sing. & in pl. A piece of armour for the body (orig. of leather); spec. a piece reaching down to the waist, and consisting of a breastplate and a backplate, buckled or otherwise fastened together. In sing. occas., the breastplate alone. LME.

2. = BUCKLER noun 3. E17.

3. The armour-plating of a ship etc. M19.

4. A close-fitting sleeveless bodice, often stiffened with metal trimmings or embroidery, formerly worn by women. L19.

5. In full cuirass respirator. A respirator which encloses the trunk but not the limbs. M20.
b. verb trans. Cover or protect (as) with a cuirass. M19.

■ cuirassed adjective provided with cuirasses; protected (as if) by a cuirass: E18.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲