What does cuirass mean?
A cuirass is a piece of body armour designed to protect the wearer's torso, typically consisting of a breastplate for the chest and a matching backplate fastened together at the sides. Used from antiquity through the nineteenth century, cuirasses were crafted from hardened leather in early periods and later from bronze or steel, with famous versions worn by Greek hoplites, Roman officers, and Napoleonic-era heavy cavalry known as cuirassiers. A celebrated variant, the 'muscle cuirass,' was moulded to imitate an idealised muscular torso. Today the word appears mainly in military history, archaeology, and museum writing, carrying connotations of classical warfare and old-world chivalry. Its etymology reflects its humble origins: it derives via French from the word for leather, recalling the earliest armours of boiled hide.
nounA piece of armour consisting of a breastplate and backplate fastened together, worn to protect the torso; historically made of leather, bronze, or steel.
- A defensive covering for the torso, typically a breastplate joined with a backplate, worn by soldiers and cavalrymen.
"The museum's prize exhibit was a bronze cuirass recovered from a Roman battlefield."
"The cuirassier's polished breastplate caught the morning sun as the cavalry formed up."
"Archaeologists unearthed a corroded bronze cuirass alongside the warrior's sword and helmet."
Standard English plural; in British pronunciation the final syllable often stays unchanged, while American speakers frequently add an audible /ɪz/ or /z/ ending.
"The display case held three ornate cuirasses from different centuries."
Roman 'muscle cuirasses' were hammered into sculpted six-packs and pecs — ancient warriors literally wore fake abs into battle.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cuirass
The word comes from the French 'cuirasse', itself derived from 'cuir' meaning leather, which traces back to the Latin 'corium' (hide or skin). This origin points to the earliest cuirasses being made of hardened leather before metalworking took over. The related term 'cuirassier' arose in the sixteenth century for cavalry soldiers equipped with the cuirass, while the Latin root 'corium' survives in anatomical usage.
Related word forms
How cuirass is actually used
Mostly encountered today in historical, military-history, archaeological, or museum contexts rather than everyday speech. The plural can be pronounced to match either the singular's final consonant or an added /z/ sound depending on region.
Easily confused with cuirass
A corselet is a lighter piece of armour covering only the upper body without the full paired breastplate-and-backplate construction of a cuirass.