n.
Pronunciation: kwi- ' ras, kyu ̇ -
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English curas, from Middle French cuirasse, probably from Old Occitan coirassa, from Late Latin coreacea, feminine of coreaceus leathern, from Latin corium skin, leather; akin to Old English heortha deerskin, Latin cortex bark, Greek keirein to cut ― more at SHEAR
Date: 15th century
1 : a piece of armor covering the body from neck to waist also : the breastplate of such a piece
2 : something (as bony plates covering an animal) resembling a cuirass
– cui · rassed adjective