Cataphract

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Cataphract \Cat"a*phract\ (k[a^]t"[.a]*fr[a^]kt), n. [L.
     cataphractes, Gr. ?, fr. ? covered, fr. ? to cover; kata`
     down, wholly + fra`ssein to inclose.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. (Mil. Antiq.) Defensive armor used for the whole body and
        often for the horse, also, esp. the linked mail or scale


        armor of some eastern nations.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A horseman covered with a cataphract.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Archers and slingers, cataphracts, and spears.
                                                    --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Zool.) The armor or plate covering some fishes.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  cataphract
       n : armor that protects the wearer's whole body [syn: {body
           armor}, {body armour}, {suit of armor}, {suit of armour},
            {coat of mail}]