breastplate
      n : armor plate that protects the chest; the front part of a
          cuirass [syn: aegis, egis]


 Breastplate
    (1.) That piece of ancient armour that protected the breast.
    This word is used figuratively in Eph. 6:14 and Isa. 59:17. (See ARMOUR.)

      (2.) An ornament covering the breast of the high priest, first
    mentioned in Ex. 25:7. It was made of embroidered cloth, set
    with four rows of precious stones, three in each row. On each
    stone was engraved the name of one of the twelve tribes (Ex.
    28:15-29; 39:8-21). It was in size about ten inches square. The
    two upper corners were fastened to the ephod by blue ribbons. It
    was not to be "loosed from the ephod" (Ex. 28:28). The lower
    corners were fastened to the girdle of the priest. As it
    reminded the priest of his representative character, it was
    called the memorial (28:29). It was also called the breastplate
    of judgment (28:15). (See PRIEST.)