Breastplate

Breastplate

:"This can also refer to a piece of riding equipment: see Breastplate (tack)."

A breastplate is a device worn over the torso either to protect the torso from injury, or as an item of religious significance, or as an item of status. A breastplate was sometimes worn by mythological beings as a distinctive item of clothing.

Armour

In medieval weaponry, the breastplate is the front portion of plate armour covering the torso. It has been an armour mainstay since ancient times and was one of the last pieces of functional armour to be used on the battlefield because it protected the vital organs without limiting mobility.

Religious

In Judaism, the Breastplate ("Hoshen") is a sacred garment worn by the High Priest, woven out of multiple fabrics and set with twelve precious stones representing each of the tribes of Israel. Traditionally, it had a fold containing the Urim and Thummim. The Breastplate is described in some detail in ]

Metaphorical

In the Bible, the word Breastplate is used figuratively to describe protecting oneself from unrighteousness (cf, , , etc).

Mythological

Both Zeus and Athena are sometimes depicted as wearing a goatskin shield or breastplate called an Aegis. At the center of Athena's shield was the head of Medusa.

References


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • BREASTPLATE — BREASTPLATE, metal shield placed in front of the mantle of the Torah scroll in Ashkenazi communities. This custom did not develop in Sephardi communities because their Torah scrolls were kept in a case (tik) which did not lend itself to such… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • Breastplate — Breast plate , n. 1. A plate of metal covering the breast as defensive armor. [1913 Webster] Before his old rusty breastplate could be scoured, and his cracked headpiece mended. Swift. [1913 Webster] 2. A piece against which the workman presses… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • breastplate — ► NOUN ▪ a piece of armour covering the chest …   English terms dictionary

  • breastplate — [brest′pēs΄brest′plāt΄] n. 1. a piece of armor for the breast: see ARMOR 2. in ancient times, an embroidered cloth worn on the breast of the Jewish high priest: it was set with twelve jewels representing the twelve tribes of Israel: also (RSV)… …   English World dictionary

  • breastplate — UK [ˈbrestˌpleɪt] / US noun [countable] Word forms breastplate : singular breastplate plural breastplates a piece of metal that soldiers wore in the past to protect their chests …   English dictionary

  • Breastplate —    1) That piece of ancient armour that protected the breast. This word is used figuratively in Eph. 6:14 and Isa. 59:17. (See Armour.)    2) An ornament covering the breast of the high priest, first mentioned in Ex. 25:7. It was made of… …   Easton's Bible Dictionary

  • breastplate — [[t]bre̱stpleɪt[/t]] breastplates N COUNT A breastplate is a piece of armour that covers and protects the chest …   English dictionary

  • Breastplate (tack) — A breastplate (used interchangeably with breastgirth and breastcollar) is a piece of riding equipment used on horses. Its purpose is to keep the saddle from sliding back, and is most helpful on horses with large shoulders and a flat ribcage. It… …   Wikipedia

  • breastplate — noun Date: 14th century 1. a usually metal plate worn as defensive armor for the breast see armor illustration 2. a vestment worn in ancient times by a Jewish high priest and set with 12 gems bearing the names of the tribes of Israel 3. a piece… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • breastplate — /brest playt /, n. 1. a piece of plate armor partially or completely covering the front of the torso: used by itself or as part of a cuirass. See diag. under armor. 2. the part of the harness that runs across the chest of a saddle horse. 3.… …   Universalium

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”