gardebras

English

Etymology

Either borrowed from (Middle) French garde-bras, gardebras, or modified (under the influence of that word) from Middle English garbrasse, itself from that (Middle) French word.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɡɑɹd.ə.bɹɑ/

Noun

gardebras (plural gardebras)

1. A piece of armor which protects the arm.
   • 1842, S.R. Meyrick, A Critical Inquiry Into Antient Armour, […] , page 4:

     The gardebras here probably implies the whole armour for the arms, consisting of pauldrons, brassarts, elbow-pieces, and vambraces, though there is a gardebras of the more antient kind so formed as to screw on the bridle-arm […]

   • 1851, The Archaeological Journal: […] , page 84:

     The Bishop's silver-gilt "wardebras," the gardebras, or bracer, to protect the left arm, was of singularly costly material.

   • 1884, Jacques de Mailles, The Very Joyous, Pleasant and Refreshing History of the Feats, Exploits, Triumphs and Atchievements of the Good Knight Without Fear and Without Reproach, the Gentle Lord de Bayard, page 250:

     The gardebras was a separate piece which overlaid and protected the junctures of the armor at the shoulder and elbow.

See also

• gardbrace