breastplate

[ brest-pleyt ]

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.

breastplate

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of breastplate¹

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

Example Sentences

Another AI image of the singer, this time wearing a gold corseted gown with a key breastplate on the red carpet, has also been going viral with over 5 million views.

From BBC

In Samuel’s color-conscious casting of Black citizens of Jerusalem and the white Roman soldiers who police them, it’s hard to miss that the Roman soldiers grip their breastplates like contemporary police officers grip their vests.

From Salon

Sporting a skirt, a metal breastplate and a Trojan war helmet, the “Saturday Night Live” alum twirled a prop sword as the band played its fight song.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s really overwhelming to see it reflected back at you, especially one of this magnitude. … I just felt like my breastplate was going to shatter, it was so intense.”

From Seattle Times

A YouTube D.I.Y. fashion tutorial inspired Eley, whose multimedia practice has also included creating a corset of steel and casting functional breastplates and daggers in bronze and aluminum, to envision her “LV Bralette.”

From New York Times