cuirass

Etymology

Attested since the 1400s, from Middle English curasse, curesse, from Old French cuirace, spelling influenced by modern French cuirasse.

noun

1. A piece of defensive armor, covering the body from the neck to the girdle.
   The cuirass covered the body before and behind, it consisted of two parts, a breast and back piece of iron, fastened together by means of straps and buckles, or other contrivances. They were originally as the name imports, made of leather, but afterwards of metal, both brass and iron. 1786, Francis Grose, A Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons, page 19
2. The breastplate taken by itself.

verb

1. (transitive) To cover with defensive armor; to armor-plate.