cuirass

noun

cui·​rass kwi-ˈras 

kyu̇-

1

: a piece of armor covering the body from neck to waist

also : the breastplate of such a piece

2

: something (such as bony plates covering an animal) resembling a cuirass

cuirassed

kwi-ˈrast 

kyu̇-

adjective

Examples of cuirass in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Then a leather specialist handcrafted the cuirass to Mescal’s specifications. —Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2024

This meant that Crossman and his team had to adapt certain costumes already in the works—including a pale, handwoven leather cuirass molded to Mescal’s torso—to fit his evolving physique. —Elaina Patton, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2024

Yet whoever was wearing it on 18 June 1815, this cuirass serves to emphasise the brutality of Napoleonic warfare at a most personal level. —Peter Suciu, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2022

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

The cuirass suffered damage during the excavation, likely while being removed from its original box and when an attempt was made to unfold it. —James Rogers, Fox News, 26 Mar. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Middle English curas, from Middle French cuirasse, probably from Old Occitan coirassa, from Late Latin coreacea, feminine of coreaceus leathern, from Latin corium skin, leather; akin to Old English heortha deerskin, Latin cortex bark, Greek keirein to cut — more at shear

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cuirass

• cirrus
• veneris

Kids Definition

cuirass

noun

cui·​rass kwi-ˈras 

kyu̇-

: a piece of armor covering the body from neck to waist

also : the breastplate of such a piece

Medical Definition

cuirass

noun

cui·​rass kwi-ˈras, kyu̇- 

1

: a plaster cast for the trunk and neck

2

: a respirator that covers the chest or the chest and abdomen and provides artificial respiration by means of an electric pump