ventail

[ ven-teyl ]

noun

1. the pivoted middle element of a face defense of a close helmet.
2. a flap of mail attached to a coif and fastened across the lower part of the face during combat.

ventail

/ ˈvɛnteɪl /

noun

1. (in medieval armour) a covering for the lower part of the face

Word History and Origins

Origin of ventail¹

1300–50; Middle English < Middle French ventaille, equivalent to vent (< Latin ventus wind ¹ ) + -aille -al ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of ventail¹

C14: from Old French ventaille sluice, from vent wind, from Latin ventus