Hypertext Webster Gateway: "breastplate"
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary (easton)
Breastplate
(1.) That piece of ancient armour that protected the breast.
This word is used figuratively in Eph. 6:14 and Isa. 59:17. (See {ARMOUR}.)
(2.) An ornament covering the breast of the high priest, first
mentioned in Ex. 25:7. It was made of embroidered cloth, set
with four rows of precious stones, three in each row. On each
stone was engraved the name of one of the twelve tribes (Ex.
28:15-29; 39:8-21). It was in size about ten inches square. The
two upper corners were fastened to the ephod by blue ribbons. It
was not to be "loosed from the ephod" (Ex. 28:28). The lower
corners were fastened to the girdle of the priest. As it
reminded the priest of his representative character, it was
called the memorial (28:29). It was also called the breastplate
of judgment (28:15). (See {PRIEST}.)
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Breastplate \Breast"plate`\, n.
1. A plate of metal covering the breast as defensive armor.
Before his old rusty breastplate could be scoured,
and his cracked headpiece mended. --Swift.
2. A piece against which the workman presses his breast in
operating a breast drill, or other similar tool.
3. A strap that runs across a horse's breast. --Ash.
4. (Jewish Antiq.) A part of the vestment of the high priest,
worn upon the front of the ephod. It was a double piece of
richly embroidered stuff, a span square, set with twelve
precious stones, on which were engraved the names of the
twelve tribes of Israel. See {Ephod}.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
breastplate
n : armor plate that protects the chest; the front part of a
cuirass [syn: {aegis}, {egis}]
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