gorget

/ˈgɔrdʒət/

Other forms: gorgets

A gorget is a special piece of armor that protects a soldier's neck. Medieval suits of armor commonly included a circular gorget that fit under the metal breastplate.

If you've ever seen pictures of suits of armor worn by knights, you've probably seen a gorget. Through different eras, it changed from a leather collar to a steel plate, or a series of interconnected plates, all intended to protect the neck and throat during battle. The original gorget was simply a Medieval woman's linen neck scarf. The root of gorget is the Old French word gorge, which means "throat."

Definitions of gorget

1. noun

   armor plate that protects the neck
   type of:

   armor plate, armor plating, armour plate, plate armor, plate armour

   specially hardened steel plate used to protect fortifications or vehicles from enemy fire