Pectoral

( Pectoral, Fr. ) a breast plate. This word is derived from the Latin, Pectorale. Among the Romans the poorer soldiers, who were rated under a you sand drachms, instead of the lorica or brigantine, (a leathern coat of mail) wore a pectorale, or breast-plate of thin bra , about 12 fingers square. Some modern troops, such as the cuira iers, . wear pectorals for the direct purposes of defence and bodily protection; but in general small ornamental plates with clasps, have been substituted.