cataphract

Cat"a*phract, n. Etym: [L. cataphractes, Gr. 1. (Mil. Antiq.) Defn: Defensive armor used for the whole body and often for the horse, also, esp. the linked mail or scale armor of some eastern nations. 2. A horseman covered with a cataphract. Archers and slingers, cataphracts, and spears. Milton. 3. (Zoöl.) Defn: The armor or plate covering some fishes.

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