Pectoral

(Fr. pectorale ). A breastplate. Among the Romans the poorer soldiers, who were rated under 1000 drachmas, instead of the lorica , or brigantine (a leathern coat of mail) wore a pectoral, or breastplate of thin bra , about twelve fingers square. Some modern troops, such as the cuira iers, etc., wear pectorals for the direct purposes of defense and bodily protection; but in general small ornamental plates with clasps have been substituted.