What does cuirassing mean?
Cuirassing is the act of fitting a person, horse, or object with a cuirass — the rigid piece of plate armour that shields the chest and back. Historically it described a practical step in preparing cavalry and heavy infantry for battle, particularly from the late medieval period through the nineteenth century, when cuirassiers remained a striking feature of European armies. In modern usage the word survives mainly in two registers: historical and military scholarship discussing how armies were armoured, and literary or rhetorical prose, where writers use cuirassing metaphorically to describe fortifying the emotions, reputation, or defences of an idea. The verb derives from the older noun cuirass, which itself came through French from Latin coriaceus, meaning 'of leather' — a reminder that the earliest body armour was hardened hide rather than steel. Because the term is closely tied to a specific piece of equipment, it carries connotations of deliberate preparation, physical protection, and, by extension, emotional self-defence.
To equip or cover with a cuirass; to protect or fortify something as though with such armour.
"They set about cuirassing the horses before the charge."
Chiefly used historically or metaphorically; rarely encountered in everyday modern speech.
The act or process of cuirassing; the state of being provided with a cuirass.
"The cuirassing of the regiment was completed by autumn."
Usually encountered as a gerund describing the action rather than as an independently named practice.
Every time you lace up a corset, you're using a word that traces straight back to the leather breastplates worn by Roman soldiers — 'corium', Latin for hide.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cuirassing
Cuirassing comes from the verb cuirass, formed on the noun cuirass, a piece of armour for the chest. The noun entered English from French 'cuirasse', whose name derives ultimately from Latin 'coriaceus', meaning 'made of leather', from 'corium' ('hide') — reflecting the fact that early body protection was made of treated leather before metal plate became common. Related forms include the noun cuirassier, denoting a soldier equipped with a cuirass.
Related word forms
How cuirassing is actually used
Cuirassing is rare today and chiefly historical or figurative in register; it appears mostly in military history writing about the age of armour, or in literary prose where a metaphor of bodily or emotional protection is wanted.
Easily confused with cuirassing
Cursing means uttering swear words or calling down evil upon someone; cuirassing refers to arming or covering with a cuirass.
Quarrelling means arguing or disputing with another person; cuirassing means providing someone or something with protective armour.