# cardiophylax

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˌkɑː.diː.əˈfɪ.laks/

## Definitions
1. A piece of body armour—originally a metal breastplate or pair of plates—worn in classical antiquity to protect the region of the heart. Typically circular or square discs, fastened by leather straps, used in Italy from the Villanovan and Etruscan periods (7th century BCE) and later by Roman Republican legionaries and gladiators such as provocatores.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Latin cardiophylax, derived from Ancient Greek καρδία (kardía) + φύλαξ (phúlax).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/cardiophylax