cataphract

What is another word for cataphract? Here is its meaning, with related words and examples.

Noun — A cataphract is a suit of defensive armour covering a soldier's whole body and often the soldier's horse as well, typically made of linked mail or scale armour used by certain eastern armies.

We haven't recorded synonyms for cataphract yet. You can still read its full definition, where it comes from, or words that rhyme with it.

How to use cataphract

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

cataphract cavalry cataphract armour charge of cataphracts heavily armoured cataphract

This is a specialist historical and military term, not used in everyday speech.

Etymology

Cataphract comes from a Latin word for a suit of armour, which was itself taken from Ancient Greek. The Greek word combines a prefix indicating great degree with a term meaning protected or fenced in, plus a suffix that forms nouns describing a state of being.

Full origin of cataphract →

Frequently asked questions

What is a cataphract?

It is a full suit of armour, usually of linked mail or scale, that covered a soldier and often the soldier's horse, and by extension the armoured soldier who wore it.

Were cataphracts cavalry or infantry?

The term most often refers to heavily armoured cavalry, since the armour was designed to cover both rider and horse.

Where does the word cataphract come from?

It traces back through Latin to an Ancient Greek word built from parts meaning intensely protected or fenced in.

Nearby words

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