cataphract

== English == === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈkætəfɹækt/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈkætəˌfɹækt/, [ˈkæɾə-] Hyphenation: ca‧ta‧phract === Etymology 1 === From Latin cataphractes (“suit of armour”), from Ancient Greek κατάφρακτος (katáphraktos, “suit of armour”), from κατα- (kata-, prefix indicating a great degree or intensity) + φρακτός (phraktós, “protected; fenced in”) (from φράσσω (phrássō, “to fortify, secure; to fence in”)) + -της (-tēs, suffix forming nouns indicating a state of being). ==== Noun ==== cataphract (plural cataphracts) (military, historical) Defensive armour covering the entire body of a soldier and often the soldier's horse as well, especially the linked mail or scale armour of some eastern nations. (ichthyology, by extension, obsolete) An outer covering of some fish resembling armour or plate. ===== Derived terms ===== cataphracted (adjective) cataphractic ===== Translations ===== === Etymology 2 === The adjective is derived from Ancient Greek κατάφρακτος (katáphraktos, “covered, enclosed, shut up; completely suited in armour”), from καταφράσσειν (kataphrássein, “to suit in armour”) (see further at etymology 1) + -τος (-tos, “suffix forming adjectives”). The noun is derived from Latin cataphractus (“wearing armour, mailed”), from Ancient Greek κατάφρακτος (katáphraktos, “covered, enclosed, shut up; completely suited in armour”); see above. ==== Adjective ==== cataphract (nautical, historical) Of a galley such as a trireme: with the upper tier of rowers shielded rather than exposed. Antonym: aphract ===== Translations ===== ==== Noun ==== cataphract (plural cataphracts) (military, historical) A soldier (especially a horseman) covered with a cataphract (etymology 1, sense 1). A galley with the upper tier of rowers shielded. ===== Translations ===== ==== See also ==== cuirassier === References === === Further reading === cataphract on Wikipedia.Wikipedia