breastplate

American  

[brest-pleyt] / ˈbrɛstˌpleɪt /

noun

1. a piece of plate armor partially or completely covering the front of the torso: used by itself or as part of a cuirass.

2. the part of the harness that runs across the chest of a saddle horse.

3. Judaism.

   1. a square, richly embroidered vestment ornamented with 12 precious stones, each inscribed with the name of one of the 12 tribes of Israel, secured to the ephod of the high priest and worn on the chest. Exodus 28:15–28.

   2. a rectangular ornament, typically of silver, suspended by a chain over the front of a scroll of the Torah.

4. a plate opposite the chuck end of a breast drill against which the operator's chest is placed.

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breastplate British  

/ ˈbrɛstˌpleɪt /

noun

1. a piece of armour covering the chest

2. the strap of a harness covering a horse's breast

3. Judaism an ornamental silver plate hung on the scrolls of the Torah

4. Old Testament a square vestment ornamented with 12 precious stones, representing the 12 tribes of Israel, worn by the high priest when praying before the holy of holies

5. zoology a nontechnical name for plastron

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Etymology

Origin of breastplate

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English brestplate; breast, plate ¹

Example Sentences

Or perhaps he resembles Paul Mescal, brooding, slicked in oil, and strapped into Crowe’s old breastplate.

From Salon • Nov. 26, 2024

And finally, Zendaya's unforgettable Tom Ford fuchsia breastplate nearly broke the internet after the 2021 Critics Choice Awards.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2023

A piece that was actually made of wood would be very heavy, so we worked with artists who sculpted the breastplate out of clay, then cast and painted it to look like wood.

From New York Times • Nov. 16, 2022

She seems to be wearing hospital scrub pants and a shirt that has writing on the breastplate and sleeve.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 9, 2022

The king was clad in a gilded breastplate with a roaring lion engraved upon its chest, as if he expected the war to engulf them at any moment.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin