Cui-răss′, n.

(kwĕ-răs′, or kwē′ras) (Synop., § 130), n. [Fr. cuirasse, It. corazza, Sp. coraza, Pg. couraça, Pr. coirassa, L. Lat. coratia, coratium, coracia, curatia, originally a breastplate of leather; Lat. as if coriacea, from coriaceus, -a, -um, of leather, from corium, leather, Fr. cuir.] 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 like contrivances. They were originally, as the name imports, made of leather, but afterward of metal. Grose.