gorget

Meanings

1. 1nouncountablespecialist

   A piece of armor made of metal that covers and protects the throat and neck.

   Grammar: Plural form is gorgets; usually mentioned with other pieces of armor.

   Patterns

   • a steel gorget
   • a gorget of plate

   The knight fastened a steel gorget around his neck before the tournament.

   A gorget protected the soldier's throat from sword cuts.

   The museum displays a helmet, a breastplate and a gorget from the fifteenth century.

2. 2nouncountablespecialist

   A small crescent-shaped metal ornament worn at the neck by officers in earlier centuries, as a sign of rank.

   Grammar: A historical term for a symbolic badge rather than real protection.

   Patterns

   • an officer's gorget

   The captain's silver gorget showed his rank to the troops.

   By the eighteenth century a gorget was only a ceremonial badge.

   The portrait shows an officer in a red coat and a gleaming gorget.

3. 3nouncountablebiology

   A patch of bright or different-colored feathers or skin on the throat of a bird or animal.

   Grammar: A term from birdwatching, common for hummingbirds.

   Patterns

   • a ruby gorget
   • an iridescent gorget

   The male hummingbird flashed his ruby gorget in the sunlight.

   An iridescent gorget helps identify the species.

   The lizard's gorget turned bright orange during the display.

Word forms

Common combinations

steel gorget

The reenactor wore a steel gorget over his tunic.

officer's gorget

The officer's gorget was engraved with a royal crest.

ruby gorget

A ruby gorget shone on the male hummingbird.

iridescent gorget

The iridescent gorget changed from green to violet.

wear a gorget

Knights would wear a gorget under their helmets.

Synonyms and how they differ

bevor

A 'bevor' is armor protecting the chin and lower face, while a 'gorget' is aimed at the throat.

collar

'Collar' is a general word for something around the neck, but it does not suggest armor or rank.

ruff

A 'ruff' is a pleated fabric collar worn in the sixteenth century, and is not made of metal like a gorget.

Word family

gorge noun

the throat; also a narrow valley with steep sides

gorge verb

to eat a large amount greedily

disgorge verb

to bring up or pour out from the throat or a container

Commonly confused: gorget or gauntlet?

Practice

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