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Definition: armor from Merriam-Webster's Collegiate(R) Dictionary

pronunciationpronunciation

(13c) 1 : defensive covering for the body; esp : covering (as of metal) used in combat 2 : a quality or circumstance that affords protection 〈the ⁓ of prosperity〉 3 : a protective outer layer (as of a ship, a plant or animal, or a cable) 4 : armored forces and vehicles (as tanks)

armor vt

ar•mor•less \-mər-ləs\ adj

armor

From The Columbia Encyclopedia
apparatus for defense of persons, horses, and such objects as vehicles, naval vessels, and aircraft. Body armor developed early as protective suits made of such materials as leather, shells, wood, and basketwork, later supplemented by metal. Armor was made specifically for war, was often very costly, and could be an index of social status. A Greek hoplite 's armor confirmed that he was a citizen, the Japanese warrior's armor and weapons revealed him as a samurai , and the full suit of armor worn by the European nobleman made him a knight . Around the world many of the same basic elements of armor developed, especially the shield , the helmet, the cuirass (or other chest protection), and shin guards. Some armor was flexible, with metal attached to cloth or even woven in mail. Other armor was made in plates or large pieces worn as a garment. The evolution of warfare, with increased mobility, diminished the importance of personal armor even before firearms speeded its disappearance from…
2,116 results
Armour is essentially any sturdy covering worn by warriors to protect them against injury in combat, and was developed in many cultures around the world in response to improvements in weaponry. Warriors who fought on foot with spear or sword were able to use a shield, whether made of metal, wood or…
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Full text Article Armor

From A Dictionary of Literary Symbols
In medieval chivalric romances, the armor of the hero, and especially his shield or “escutcheon,” is often lovingly described and invested with great significance. The elaborate language of heraldry or armorial bearings – the points, tinctures, bends, chevrons, fesses, pales, piles, and lions…
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Full text Article armour

From Word Origins
Armour comes ultimately from Latin armātūra ‘armour, equipment’, a derivative of the verb armāre ‘arm’ (the direct English borrowing armature [15] originally meant ‘armour’ or ‘weapons’, but the ‘protective’ notion of armour led to its application in the 18th century to ‘metal covering the poles of…
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Full text Article armor

From The Columbia Encyclopedia
apparatus for defense of persons, horses, and such objects as vehicles, naval vessels, and aircraft. Body armor developed early as protective suits made of such materials as leather, shells, wood, and basketwork, later supplemented by metal. Armor was made specifically for war, was often very…
| 258 words
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Full text Article Green Armor, the

From Encyclopedia of Mythological Objects
A suit of armor from Arthurian legend, the Green Armor was said to magically protect its wearer from all physical injuries, leaving them completely unaffected by such assaults. The Green Armor was owned and worn by Sir Engamore of Malverat, also known as the Knight of the Green Sleeves; he was the…
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Full text Article armor of Achilles, the

From Encyclopedia of Mythological Objects
Created by Hephaistos (Hephaestus; Roman god Vulcan), the god of bindings, the art of sculpture, fire, forges, metalworking, stonemasonry, and talismans, the armor of the demigod and hero Achilles was one of the famous warrior's most prized possessions, even beyond Xanthos, his immortal war horse…
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Full text Article weaponry and armor

From Encyclopedia of Society and Culture in the Medieval World
Shield of wood, shell, and resin; Mexico;...
At the beginning of the Middle Ages battle was still contested by men at close quarters using edged weapons, hacking at each other with swords, spears, and axes. By the end of the period the battlefield was coming to be dominated by gunpowder artillery and small arms. While we often think of…
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Full text Article shield, armor

From The Columbia Encyclopedia
piece of defensive armor , worn on the arm or shoulder to ward off weapons during combat, used prior to the dominance of gunpowder. Originally for individual defense during hand-to-hand combat, it is the most primitive and universal item of defensive armor. Shields were made of hide or wood, often…
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Mycenaean Greek armor made of bronze plates,...
Introduction The international arms race includes the invention of many dramatic and powerful weapons, some of which have transformed global politics by enabling surprising or dramatic military victories. The other side of the arms race is defensive, with the goal of saving the lives of those who…
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Full text Article SPEARS AND ARMOR

From Ancient Chinese Warfare
SPEARS AND ARMOR
As attested by specimens dating back 400,000 years, whether thrown or employed in thrusting attacks, the spear has generally been one of the first weapons fabricated throughout the world. Despite assuming many forms, ranging from a sharpened, sometimes fire-hardened length of wood to elaborately…
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