corselet

Everyday

1. (old) A corselet was a piece of armour that covered the body, chest and back. tree →
2. A corselet is a tight piece of women's underwear that covers the body (also corselette). tree →
3. (science) The corselet is the hard chest part (thorax) of an insect. tree →

In the lessons

In history and stories about knights and soldiers, a corselet of steel or leather protects the chest. In The Wind in the Willows the animals arm themselves with swords and pistols for the battle of Toad Hall. Today the word is rare.

Examples

• The soldier wore a corselet of steel. tree →
• The knight buckled on his corselet. tree →
• A leather corselet protected his chest. tree →
• The beetle's shiny corselet gleamed. tree →
• The museum has a corselet from the Civil War. tree →
• He took off his corselet after the battle. tree →

Note

Countable. Pronounced KORSS-lit. Also spelt «corslet».

In Jewish tradition

A piece of body armor or, in Isaiah, an item of women's fine dress.

Interpretation. Isaiah lists the finery of the proud women of Jerusalem that God will take away.

Examples

• the headtires, and the armlets, and the sashes, and the corselets, and the amulets; (Prophets ISA.3.20, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable. Pronounced KORSS-lit. Also spelt «corslet».