plastron

C2 Topic:Animals

US /ˈplæstrən/ UK /ˈplɑːstrən/ See IPA manual

Freq #360645

Meanings

1

noun
the lower, usually flatter part of a turtle's or tortoise's shell

The veterinarian examined a crack in the tortoise's plastron.
2

noun
a padded guard worn over the chest in fencing

The fencer wore a plastron beneath her jacket for added protection.
3

noun
a decorative or protective front panel on a garment, especially a formal shirtfront

The costume's embroidered plastron covered the front of the bodice.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · the lower, usually flatter... lower shellventral shell

2 noun · a padded guard worn over... chest protectorunderarm protector

3 noun · a decorative or protective... shirtfrontbib

Word family

Derived forms plastralplastron-like

Related forms carapace turtle tortoise shell breastplate fencing

Etymology

Borrowed from French plastron ("breastplate, chest covering"), from Italian piastrone, an augmentative of piastra ("plate"). The protective-body sense was extended to a turtle's lower shell and to padded or decorative chest pieces.

Topics

Animals

External links

# plastron

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈplæstrən/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈplɑːstrən/
**Frequency rank:** 360645

## Meanings
1. the lower, usually flatter part of a turtle's or tortoise's shell
2. a padded guard worn over the chest in fencing
3. a decorative or protective front panel on a garment, especially a formal shirtfront

## Examples
- The veterinarian examined a crack in the tortoise's plastron.
- The fencer wore a plastron beneath her jacket for added protection.
- The costume's embroidered plastron covered the front of the bodice.

## Synonyms
- lower shell
- ventral shell
- chest protector
- shirtfront

## Derived Forms
- plastral
- plastron-like

## Related Forms
- carapace
- turtle
- tortoise
- shell
- breastplate
- fencing

## Etymology
Borrowed from French plastron ("breastplate, chest covering"), from Italian piastrone, an augmentative of piastra ("plate"). The protective-body sense was extended to a turtle's lower shell and to padded or decorative chest pieces.

## Topics
- Animals

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