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Webster 1913 Edition
Cataphract
Cat′a-phract
(kăt′ȧ-frăkt)
, Noun.
[L.
cataphractes
, Gr. [GREEK], fr. [GREEK] covered, fr. [GREEK] to cover; κατά
down, wholly + φράσσειν
to inclose.] 1.
(Mil. Antiq.)
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.
(Zool.)
The armor or plate covering some fishes.
Webster 1828 Edition
Cataphract
CATAPHRACT
, n.1.
In the ancient military art, a piece of heavy defensive armor, formed of cloth or leather, strengthened with scales or links, used to defend the breast, or whole body, or even the horse as well as the rider.2.
A horseman in complete armor.