cuirass

noun

cui·​rass kwi-ˈras How to pronounce cuirass (audio)
kyu̇-
1
: a piece of armor covering the body from neck to waist
also : the breastplate of such a piece
2
: something (such as bony plates covering an animal) resembling a cuirass
cuirassed
kwi-ˈrast How to pronounce cuirass (audio)
kyu̇-
adjective

Examples of cuirass in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
My favourite application of bronze has always been the cuirass (breastplate), shield, spear, sword and greaves of the Spartan soldiers. — Wei Koh, A-LIST, 3 Apr. 2018 The remains of the tunic-like garment, known as a cuirass, are held in the new Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo. — James Rogers, Fox News, 26 Mar. 2018 Then a leather specialist handcrafted the cuirass to Mescal’s specifications. — Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2024 The cuirass, with a huge hole through both the front and back plates, is now in the collection of the Musée de l'Armée in Paris, with other items from the Napoleonic era. — Peter Suciu, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2022 The cuirass, a piece of armor consisting of a breastplate and backplate fastened together, was inspired by another set piece in the film — a mystical siren painted on a ship. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 18 Feb. 2026 This meant that Crossman and his team had to adapt certain costumes already in the works—including a pale, handwoven leather cuirass molded to Mescal’s torso—to fit his evolving physique. — Elaina Patton, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English curas, from Middle French cuirasse, probably from Old Occitan coirassa, from Late Latin coreacea, feminine of coreaceus leathern, from Latin corium skin, leather; akin to Old English heortha deerskin, Latin cortex bark, Greek keirein to cut — more at shear

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cuirass was in the 15th century

Rhymes for cuirass

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Browse Nearby Words

cuir
cuirass
cuirassier
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cuirass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cuirass. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

cuirass

noun
cui·​rass kwi-ˈras How to pronounce cuirass (audio)
kyu̇-
: a piece of armor covering the body from neck to waist
also : the breastplate of such a piece

Medical Definition

cuirass

noun
cui·​rass kwi-ˈras, kyu̇- How to pronounce cuirass (audio)
1
: a plaster cast for the trunk and neck
2
: a respirator that covers the chest or the chest and abdomen and provides artificial respiration by means of an electric pump

More from Merriam-Webster on cuirass

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cuirass

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