plastron

[ plas-truhn ]

noun

1. a piece of plate armor for the upper part of the torso in front.
2. Fencing. a quilted pad worn over part of the torso, for protection.
3. an ornamental front piece of a woman's bodice.
4. the starched front of a shirt.
5. Zoology. the ventral part of the shell of a turtle.

plastron

/ ˈplæstrən /

noun

1. the bony plate forming the ventral part of the shell of a tortoise or turtle

Derived Forms

• ˈplastral, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of plastron¹

1500–10; < Middle French < Italian piastrone, augmentative of piastra metal plate, piaster. See plaster

Word History and Origins

Origin of plastron¹

C16: via French from Italian piastrone, from piastra breastplate, from Latin emplastrum plaster

Example Sentences

This thin layer of air is called a plastron and for decades, material scientists have been trying to harness its protective effects.

From Science Daily

Leopard and landscapes of coconut trees patterns appeared on short sleeve shirts while big necklace plastrons acted as clothes.

From Reuters

Ms. Repossi works exclusively with precious metals and stones while Mapplethorpe’s necklaces and plastrons were made of beads and what she described as “cheap, strange objects.”

From New York Times

The cotton poplin plastron shirt took 11 hours to make, according to the French house.

From Los Angeles Times

The show opened with all-wite looks featuring quilted cotton fencing plastrons and long, romantic tulle skirts.

From Reuters