greave

noun

ˈgrēv 

: armor for the shin

Examples of greave in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Killing a man in full bronze armor—helmet, breastplate, greaves—was not an easy task. — Anne Carson, Harper's magazine, 2 Mar. 2020

Each hoplite wielded an eight-foot spear made of ash, while his body armor consisted of a breastplate, helmet, and greaves, all made of bronze. — National Geographic, 6 Feb. 2020

My favourite application of bronze has always been the cuirass (breastplate), shield, spear, sword and greaves of the Spartan soldiers. — Wei Koh, A-LIST, 3 Apr. 2018

Likewise diverging from the norm, a Retiarius on a pottery relief from Gaul, instead of being almost naked, wears a helmet, body armor, and greaves. — Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026

And the film is worth watching for one gesture alone, as the Dauphin (Robert Pattinson), Hal’s opposite number, lounges languidly, in his matte-black breastplate and greaves, above the fray. — Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Middle English greve, from Anglo-French

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for greave

• breve
• cleave
• cleeve
• cleve
• eave
• eve
• grieve
• heave
• leave
• lieve
• neve
• reeve