vambrace

/ˈvæm.bɹeɪs/

Etymology

From Middle English vambrace, vauntbras, from Anglo-Norman vambras, avantbras.

Why this word is great

VAMBRACE — [Noun] A piece of armor designed to protect the arm, typically from the elbow to the wrist or from the shoulder to the wrist. From Middle English vambrace, vauntbras, from Anglo-Norman vambras, avantbras, from avant- ("fore-") + bras ("arm"). Unlike a "gauntlet" (which sheathes the hand in articulated metal) or a "rerebrace" (which guards only the upper arm), the vambrace is the sentinel of the forearm, the bulwark against the slash meant to cripple. It is the dull gleam of steel encircling a knight’s limb before battle, the dent left by a mace that did not break through, the quiet assurance of a warrior who can still raise a sword—because some defenses are not about glory, but the simple, vital act of remaining whole.

noun

The piece of armor designed to protect the arm from the elbow to the wrist.
The pieces of armor protecting the arm from the shoulder to the wrist.“To the cuirass were buckled the armour for the shoulders and arms, the first called Pouldrons, the second Brassarts, Garde bras, les avant bras, and corruptly in English, Vambraces. The vambraces included all the defence for the arms, from the pouldrons to the wrist. At the joint, or bending of the arm, the vambraces were cut obliquely, […]”