cataphract (katafrakt)

and a. [= F. cat a phracte, the same defensive armor. This dre was a ociated by Romans of the early empire with eastern nations, such as the Parthians and Sarmatians. Archers and slingers, cataphracts and spears. Milton , S. A., 1. 1619. 2. In zoöl., the armor of plates or strong scales protecting some animals. J. D. Dana. II. a. 1. Fenced in; provided with bulwarks or a protecting covering; covered; protected: as, a cataphract war-galley.-2. Same as cat a phracted . Cataphract a (kat-a-frak'tä), n. pl. [NL., neut. pl. of L. cataphract us, mailed: see cataphract i.] In herpet., a systematic name for the shield reptiles. (a) In Latreille's cla ification, a division of reptiles composed of the chelonians and crocodilians. (b) In J. E. Gray's cla ification (1831), a large group or section of reptiles with the quadrate bone immovably united with the cranium and the body generally covered with angular embedded plates. It comprises the orders or groups Emydosauri (crocodilians), Rhynchocephalia, Che lonia (tortoises), and Amphisbænia. cataphracted (kat'a-frak-ted), a. [ IMG:content-3262.png:[ocr errors] cataphract i