breastplate

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. Judaism.
a. 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. Ex. 28:15-28.
b. 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.
[1350-1400; ME brestplate. See BREAST, PLATE1]

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Universalium. 2010.

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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 — 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 …   Wikipedia

  • 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

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