Glossary A - D

This glossary includes words from different languages, (F) is French, (G) is German, (I) is Italian and (S) is Spanish. (O) stands for old. If the word does not contain any of these designations, then the word is accepted today in their own language. One of the problems you may encounter when looking up a certain word in this glossary is a slight spelling difference from 'British' English and 'American' English. Currently this glossary contains words mainly from an armor and weapons standpoint, I will be constantly putting more words into this glossary as time permits.

A

Abzug
(G) the trigger of a gun.
Achsel
(G) see pauldron.
Achselhohlscheibe
(G) see rondel.
Achselschilde
(G) see ailette.
Acroc
a hook or clasp.
Adargue
a heart-shaped buckler.
Affust
gun-carriage.
Afut
gun-carriage.
Agaric
tinder used with flint-lock gun.
Agier
(OF) darts
Aguinia
machines or engines of war.
Aguzo
(I) the point of a spear.
Aiguilettes
tags at the ends of laces for fastening pieces of armor.
Ailettes
wing-like pieces of plate or cuir-bouilly worn on the shoulders.
Aketon
see gambeson.
Alabarda
(I) halberd.
Alagues, Halagues
(OF) soldiers of fortune, mercenaries.
Alarica
a heavy triangular-pointed spear.
Alberc
(G) see hauberk.
Alberia
a shield without armorial bearings.
Alborium
a bow of hazel wood.
Alemele
(F) the lame or blade of the sword.
Alemella
(I) a knife or dagger.
Alfange
(S) cutlass.
Alferanna
(S) a banner.
Algier
(OF) dart.
Allecret
a variety of half-armor.
Almarada
(S) a stiletto or dagger.
Almayne rivet
suit of light half-armor.
Almete
(S) a close, round helmet, armet.
Alzo
(I) the sight of the firearm.
Amadue
(F) see agaric.
Ameure
a dagger.
Amorce
priming.
Amorcoir
(F) powder-flask.
Amussette
(F) a breech-loading musket.
Anelace
a broad-bladed dagger.
Angon
a javelin. The head was heavy and the top part of the shaft thin , so that it bent on impact making it impossible to be thrown back.
Animes
a cuirass of horizontal lames.
Antebrachia
see vambrace.
Antela
see poitrel
Antia
the handle of a buckler.
Anzerdecke
(G) see barde.
Appogiar
the cantle of the saddle.
Arbalest
a crossbow.
Arbalest a cric
a heavy crossbow used in sieges.
Arbalest a cranequin
a crossbow drawn with a windlass.
Arbrier
the tiller of a crossbow.
Arcabuz
(S) see arquebus.
Archet de fer
the molded ring on the breech of a cannon, base-ring.
Archegaye
a staff sharpened at both ends carried by estradiots..
Archibuso
(I) see arquebus.
Arcioni
(I) the fore and aft peaks of the saddle.
Arcon
the saddle-bow.
Arescuel
the grip of a lance.
Arest de lance
vamplate, later the lance-rest.
Arganello
(I) the windlass of a crossbow.
Argolets
French mounted arquebussiers.
Arma bianca
(I) sword.
Arme blanche
(F) sword.
Armacudium
an indefinite weapon of offense.
Arma d'asta
(I) any long-shafted weapon.
Armatoste
(S) the windlass of a crossbow.
Armes a l'epreuve
pistol-proof armor.
Armet
a close helmet with bevor and moveable visor.
Armil
see surcoat.
Armin
an ornamental hand-grip for the pike made of velvet or leather.
Arming-bonett
a padded cap worn under the helmet.
Arming-doublet
padding worn under the armor.
Arming-hose
long hose worn under leg-armor.
Arming-points
laces for tying on parts of armor.
Arming-sword
a short sword worn on the right side.
Armkachen
(G) elbow-cops.
Armoyer
(OF) armorer, maker of sword-hilts.
Armrohen
(G) cannon of the vambrace.
Armrust
(G) crossbow.
Armure cannelee
(F) fluted armor.
Armzeug
(G) brassard.
Arnesi
(I) harness used to put on armor.
Arquebus
an early musket.
Arret
(F) small decorated tabs used on straps for armor.
Arret de lance
(F) lance-rest.
Arriere-bras
see rerebrace.
Arriere-hilt
the counter-guard or knuckle-bow of the sword.
Asbergo
a breastplate or cuirass, a vamplate.
Aspar, asper
the grip of a lance.
Asperges
(OF) a mace; see holy-water sprinkle.
Astile
(I) the shaft of a lance.
Astonne
a lance.
Astregal
a molding on a cannon.
Atilt
the position in which the lance was held in charging.
Attry
(OE) artillery.
Auber
see alborium.
Ausfatz
(G) the sight of a firearm.
Avance
(F) the front peak of the burgonet.
Avant-bras
see vambrace.
Avant plat
see vamplate.
Aventail
breathing aperature in helmet, the earliest form of visor.
Azza
(I) a long-shafted axe.
Azzimino
(I) fine inlay work on oriental weapons.

B

Bacchetta
(I) a ramrod.
Back-sword
sword with single-edged blade.
Bacul
(OF) crupper of horse-trappings.
Bacyn
see bascinet.
Badelaire
(F) a short cutlass.
Bagonet
a dagger fitted to the musket.
Bayonet
a dagger fitted to the musket.
Bagordare
(OI) to hold a burlesque tournament.
Baguette
ramrod, also brayette.
Bainbergs
shin-defences of metal or cuir-bouilly.
Baldrick
an ornamented belt to carry the sword.
Bawdric
an ornamented belt to carry the sword.
Balestra
(I) see arbalest.
Balloch knife
a knife or dagger with balls instead of quillons.
Balayn
whalebone used for crests or the swords for tournaments.
Balon
whalebone used for crests or the swords for tournaments.
Balottera
a stone bow.
Banded mail
mail formed of rings through which a leather thong was passed horizontally on the hauberk.
Bandes
(F) see lames.
Bandes de bout d'affust
trail-plate of a cannon.
Bandes de dessus
axle-tree bands, cape squares.
Bandolier
musketeer's belt to carry gun-charges in seperate cases of wood or metal.
Bannerets
those knighted on the field of battle and entitled to carry banners.
Banquelets
(F) strips of decorated metal on a sword-belt to keep the belt rigid.
Barbazzale
(I) the grummet of a bridle.
Barbera
(S) see mentoniere.
Barbiere
(F) see bevor.
Barbote
(S) see bevor.
Barbotto
(I) see bevor.
Barbuta
a piece of head-armor, a bevor.
Barbute
a form of bascinet of unknown type, also a light horseman.
Barbet
a form of bascinet of unknown type, also a light horseman.
Bardes
horse-armor.
Barding
horse-armor.
Barde de criniere
(F) see crinet.
Bardiche
a variety of pole-axe.
Barducium
see morning star.
Barthaube
(G) chin-guard of plate.
Barriers
the division of wood which seperate combatants in foot-jousts, also the jousts themselves.
Bascinet
the light helmet of ovoid form tapering to a point at the summit, worn with or without a visor.
Bascuette
(OE) see bascinet.
Base
(OF) a short sword or cutlass.
Bases
skirts of fabric, or in armor, of plate.
Basilard
a curved civilian sword.
Bask sword
a stout, single-edged blade.
Bassinet
(F) priming-pan of a firelock.
Bastard sword
a long sword for cut and thrust with enough grip for two hands, or a blunted sword for practice.
Baston
a mace or club with polygonally cut head.
Baston, gros
(OF) large ordinance.
Battecul
see garde-rein.
Batticuli
taces or loin-guards of plate.
Bauchreifen
(G) see taces.
Baudik
see baldrick.
Baudrier
(F) cross-belt.
Bavier
(F) see bevor.
Baviera
(I) see bevor.
Bergaman
(OF) a cutlass or dagger from Bergamo.
Bear-paw
a form of solleret with obtuse point.
Bec du cane
a form of solleret with obtuse point.
Becco di corvo
(I) see martel de fer.
Bec de faucon
(F) a war-hammer.
Beckenhaube
(G) see bascinet.
Beinrohren
(G) see jambe.
Beintaschen
(G) see tassets.
Beinzeug
(G) see cuissard.
Beringt
(G) ringed mail.
Beruier
(F) a light head-piece with ear-flaps and chin-strap.
Besagew
saucer plates used to protect openings at the armhole.
Besagues
(OE) small plates to protect the armpits, any small plates of metal.
Bessa
a pickaxe used by pioneers.
Beavor
the chin-piece of an armet or a sallad.
Bevor
the chin-piece of an armet or a sallad.
Bicoquet
(F) a species of bascinet with neck and chin-piece.
Bicorn
small anvil.
Bickiron
small anvil.
Bigateno
(OF) javelin or dart.
Bilbo
a small rapier.
Bill
a weapon with scythe-like blade and six-foot shaft.
Billette
(F) see toggle.
Biro
(OF) a dart, javelin or arrow.
Bisacuta
the military pick or two-edged axe.
Bisaque
(OF) the military pick or two-edged axe.
Bishop's mantle
a cape of mail.
Blacon
(OF) a buckler or shield.
Blanc haubert
(F) coat of mail.
Blanchon
(OF) a kind of pike.
Blank wafte
(G) see arme blanche.
Boetes
boxes.
Bohordicum
a burlesque joust in which sham lances (bohours) were used.
Bombarde
an early form of ordinance resembling a mortar.
Bonbicinium
see bascinet
Bordon
a lance used for jousting.
Bordonasse
a lance used for jousting.
Borto
a lance used for jousting.
Boson
an arrow with a blunt point.
Bossoirs
the bosses on the peytral of a horse.
Botafogo
(S) see linstock.
Botta a
(I) armor proof against sword, axe or lance blow.
Botta a
(F) armor proof against sword, axe or lance blow.
Botte cassee
(F) armor proof against all weapons.
Botton
a button or buckle for fastening the gorget to the breast-piece.
Bouche
the hole cut in the corner of the shield through which to point the lance; also the circular hole in the vamplate.
Boucles
(F) see genouilliere.
Boudrier
(F) see bandolier.
Bougeran
buckram used for tournament armor.
Bougran
buckram used for tournament armor.
Bougon
blunt-headed arrow for shooting game.
Boujon
blunt-headed arrow for shooting game.
Bougeon
a crossbow quarrel.
Boujon
a crossbow quarrel.
Boulon
a crossbow quarrel.
Bourdonasse
(F) see bordon.
Bourlet
(F) a coif.
Bourlet
(F) the swell of the muzzle of a cannon.
Bourlette
(F) a mace.
Bourrelet
(F) a method of attaching two plates together by sliding in burrs or slots.
Boutefeu
(F) linstock.
Bouterolle
(F) the chape of a sword.
Boutreaux
(F) the pendent strips of leather or fabric which decorate horse-trappings.
Bracciale
(I) brassard.
Bracciaiuola
(I) a small shield with arm-guard and 'sword-breaker' in one piece.
Bracciali
(I) see brassard.
Bracconniere
(F) see taces.
Bracelet
(F) the ring of metal which joined the vambrace to the rerebrace, the elbow-cop.
Bracer
a leather wrist-guard used by archers of the long-bow.
Bracheta
(OI) see brayette.
Braghetta
(I) see brayette.
Brandistocco
(I) a three-pronged spear, a swine feather.
Braquemart
a short, broad-bladed cutting sword.
Brasalot
(OF) elbow-cop.
Brassard
the whole arm-defense, including vambrace, elbow-cop and rerebrace.
Brasselet
see bracer.
Bratspiess
(G) see ranseur.
Brayette
(OF) cod-piece.
Brazale
(S) brassard.
Breastplate
armor made of plate protecting the front of the chest.
Breaths
holes in a helm or helmet for air.
Brechenmesser
(G) falcione.
Brechrander
(G) neck-guards on the pauldrons.
Bretelles
(F) straps for joining breast and back pieces.
Bricolla
(OI) a tiller or crossbow to shoot stones or arrows.
Brichette
armor for loins and hips.
Brichette
breast-armor.
Brikette
breast-armor.
Brigandine
a body-defense of small plates riveted to a cover and lining of fabric.
Briquet
(F) a sword of cutlass form.
Brise-cuirass
(F) a short, strong dagger.
Brise-epee
(F) see sword breaker.
Brochiero
(I) a small buckler used for sword and buckler fights.
Broigne
a shirt of mail.
Broke
(OF) a kind of dagger.
Broquel
(S) see rondache.
Brujula
(S) see visor.
Brunt
(OE) the front or peytral of a horse-trapper.
Brustpanzer
(G) see peytral.
Brustschild mit schonbart
(G) tilting-breastplate with mentoniere.
Bruststuck
(G) breastplate.
Brygandyrons
see brigandine.
Budriere
(I) cross-belt for a sword.
Bufe
a moveable bevor used with an open casque.
Bufeta
(S) neck-guards on a pauldron.
Buffa
the buffe or face-plate of a burgonet.
Bufle
a coat of buff leather.
Buffletin
(F) see colletto.
Burdo
see borto.
Bukel
(G) see rondache
Burghera
a gorget.
Burgonet
a light, open helmet, generally found with ear-flaps and sometimes a face-guard.
Burr
the iron ring on the lance below the grip to prevent the hand from slipping back.
Buttafuoco
(I) see linstock.
Butteire
(F) a type of arquebus.
Buzo
(I) see quarrel.

C

Cabasset
a helmet with narrow brim all round the helmet.
Cairelli
(OI) see quarrel.
Caissia
(I) a case or quiver for arrows.
Calce
the vamplate of a lance, also the butt end, also stockings.
Caliver
a short firelock.
Calote
a skull-cap worn under the hat by cavalry.
Caltrop
a ball with four spikes placed on the ground to receive cavalry.
Calva
(S) skull or bowl of a helmet.
Camaglio
(I) see camail.
Camail
a hood or tippet of chainmail.
Cambra
(OI) see jambs.
Camberia
see jambieres.
Camisado
(I) the wearing of white shorts over armor for night attacks.
Campane
(OF) the part of the horse-trappings on the haunches, decorated with large bells.
Campanelle
the part of the horse-trappings on the haunches, decorated with large bells.
Cambrasia
(OI) dart or arrow.
Cannon
the tubular vambrace.
Cantle
the rear peak of the saddle.
Capel de nerfs
a whalebone or leather helmet.
Capelina
(I) a skull-cap of steel.
Capellum
the sword sheath or scabbard.
Caperuza
(S) see chapel-de-fer.
Carcasse
(F) a bomb.
Carcasse
(I) a quiver.
Cardelli
(I) see quarrel.
Cargan
a collar or gorget of mail.
Carnet
the visor.
Carosella
a mimic fight with clay balls and shields.
Carousel
a mimic fight with clay balls and shields.
Carquois
(F) a quiver.
Carreau
(F) see quarrel.
Cartouche
(F) a charge of powder and shot wrapped up in paper; a cartridge.
Casque
open helmet, often of classical design.
Casquetel
an open head-piece with brim and back peak reaching far down the neck.
Cassa
(I) the stock of a firearm.
Castle
(OE) a variety of helmet.
Cataffratto
a mail-clad horse.
Cataphractus eques
a mail-clad horse.
Cataye
(OF) a javelin or catapult.
Catchpole
a long-handled spring fork used to catch the opposing knight around the neck and unhorse him.
Catocio
the charge of powder for musket or cannon.
Caxeo
(S) see casque.
Caxa
(S) see casque.
Cazoleta
(S) the pan of the arquebus.
Celada de engole
(S) a helm worn for foot-joust with axe, sword or spear.
Celata
(I) see sallad.
Celata da incastro
(I) see armet.
Celata Veneziana
(I) a Venetian form of sallad with a nose-piece.
Cerbatane
a kind of ordinance.
Cerveliera
(I) a metal skull-cap.
Cervicale
(F) see crinet
Cesello
(I) repousse-work used in the decoration of armor.
Chamfron
plate armor protecting the head of a horse.
Chanfrein
plate armor protecting the head of a horse.
Chanfron
plate armor protecting the head of a horse.
Champ-clos
(OF) see lists.
Chape
the metal tip at the lower end of a sword or dagger sheath.
Chapel d'acier
(F) a steel war-hat.
Chapel-de-fer
(F) a broad-brimmed helmet.
Chapel de Mountauban
(F) a steel war-helmet made at Mountauban.
Chapewe
see chapel-de-fer.
Chapras
the brass badge worn by a messenger.
Chard
the string of a sling.
Charnel
(OE) the bolt that fixed the tilting-helm to the breastplate.
Chausses
covering for the lower leg and foot of chain mail.
Chaussons
trews or breeches of chainmail.
Cheeks
the strips of iron that fix the pike-head to the shaft.
Cheminee
(F) the nipple of a gun.
Cherval
a gorget.
Chastones
rivets.
Chianetta
a helmet.
Chiave da mota
(I) key for a wheel-lock.
Chien
(F) cock of a firelock.
Chiodo da voltare
(I) a turning-rivet.
Choque
some kind of firearm, variety unkown.
Cimier
the crest of a helm.
Cinquedea
(I) a short, broad-bladed dagger for ceremonial use, made in Venice and Verona, five fingers wide at the base.
Ciseau
a blunt-headed quarrel.
Clavel
(OF) a lace for fastening the coif of mail or the hauberk.
Clavones
rivets
Claid caol
(Gaelic) a small sword.
Claid crom
(Gaelic) a sabre.
Claid heamh
(Gaelic) a sword.
Claid mor
(Gaelic) a broadsword.
Claymore
a Scottish two-hand sword.
Clef
trigger.
Clevengi
studs to fasten the fendace or gorget.
Clibanion
scale armor.
Clipeus
(I) circular shield.
Clous perdus
(F) false and useless rivet-heads on armor.
Cnemide
(F) see jambs.
Coche
the notch of an arrow, the nut of a crossbow.
Coda di gambero
(I) see lobster tail.
Codole
(S) elbow-cop.
Codpiece
plate protecting the groin.
Coif de mailes
hood of chainmail.
Colichemarde
swords invented by Konigsmark.
Colet
(F) a gorget, also a jerkin.
Coletin
(F) a gorget, also a jerkin.
Collettin
(F) a gorget, also a jerkin.
Colletto
(I) a buff coat.
Collo
(I) see crinet.
Colodrillo
(S) the plate of the helmet that covered the nape of the neck.
Coltellaccio
(I) see cutlass.
Cophia
a coif of mail.
Coppo
(I) the skull of a helm or helmet.
Corale
see cuisses.
Coracina
(S) cuirass.
Corium
armor composed of leather.
Cornel
(OE) the rosette or button fixed on the tip of the lance in some forms of tilting.
Coronall
(OE) the rosette or button fixed on the tip of the lance in some forms of tilting.
Corpel
(OF) hilt of the sword.
Corregge
(I) see bretelles.
Corseque
(F) a species of partizan.
Corsesca
(I) see ranseur.
Cosciale
see cuissard.
Coscioni
see cuissard.
Costale
see cuissard.
Coschwes
(OE) see cuisses.
Costa
(I) the wings on the head of the war-lance.
Coat-armor
see surcoat.
Coterel
(OF) a large knife.
Cotta di maglia
(I) a coat of mail.
Cottyngyre
cold chisel.
Coude
elbow pieces of plate.
Coudiere
elbow pieces of plate.
Coute
elbow pieces of plate.
Couter
elbow pieces of plate.
Coup de poing
(F) a small pistol.
Coursel
(F) windlass for a crossbow.
Coussart
a demi-glaive.
Coustile
(F) a knife and possibly a staff-weapon with a cutting point.
Coustil a croc
a short, single-handed sword with two-edged blade.
Coutel
a short, single-handed sword with two-edged blade.
Couvrenuque
(F) the neck-plate of the back of the armet or sallad.
Cracowes
sometimes used for poleynes and also pointed shoes.
Crakoes
sometimes used for poleynes and also pointed shoes.
Crampon
a bolt for attaching the helm to the cuirass.
Cranequin
the wheel and ratchet machine for bending the crossbow.
Cravates
French mounted militia.
Cresta
(I) crest of a helmet.
Cresteria
(S) crest of a helmet.
Crete
(F) crest of a helmet.
Crete-echelle
a support fixed from helm to back-plate to take the shock when tilting.
Cretu
(OF) a sword-breaker.
Crinet
armor for the horse's neck.
Crochets de retraits
trail-hooks of a cannon.
Criniere
see crinet.
Croissante
see moton.
Crosse
the butt of a gun or a crossbow.
Croupiere
armor for the hind part of the horse.
Cubitiera
(I) elbow-cop.
Cubrenuca
(S) see couvrenuque.
Cuirass
body-armor, originally of leather, afterwards of plate.
Couir-Bouilly
defenses for horse and man made of boiled and molded leather.
Cure-buly
defenses for horse and man made of boiled and molded leather.
Cuissards
leg-armor, comprising cuisses and knee-cops and jambs.
Cuishe
thigh-pieces of armor.
Cuisse
thigh-pieces of armor.
Cuyse
thigh-pieces of armor.
Cuissots
see cuisse.
Culasse
the breech of a gun.
Culet
kilt or skirt.
Cullots
(F) breeches.
Culverin
a hand-gun or light piece of ordinance.
Curatt
see cuirass.
Curtale
(OI) a variety of cannon.
Curtana
the blunted "sword of Mercy" used at coronations.
Curtelaxe
(OE) cutlass.
Ciclaton
a tight-fitting surcoat shorter in front than behind.
Cyclas
a tight-fitting surcoat shorter in front than behind.
Cyseau
(OF) an arrow or dart.

D

Daburge
a ceremonial mace.
Dag, Tag
a short pistol.
Dague a couillettes
(F) see balloch knife.
Dague a oreilles
(F) a dagger with the pommel fashioned like two circular wings.
Dague a rognons
(F) a dagger kidney-shaped projections above the quillons.
Dague a ruelle
(F) a dagger with thumb-ring.
Dard
(S) javelin.
Degen
(G) sword, dagger.
Demi-poulaine
pointed sollerets of medium length.
Demy-teste
(OE) a steel skull-cap.
Destrier
a war-horse.
Detente
(F) the trigger.
Diechlinge
(G) see cuisse.
Dieling
(G) see cuisse.
Dilge
(G) leg-guard for jousts.
Dobbles
(OE) molds or patterns on which armor was made.
Dolch
(G) poniard.
Dolequin
a dagger.
Doloire
a short-handled axe.
Dolon
(OE) a club.
Dorso
(I) the back of a gauntlet.
Dos
(S) back-plate of a cuirass.
Dossiere
(F) back-piece of a cuirass.
Dussack
Hungarian and German sword of cutlass form.

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Aaron Neilson
a n @ m i c r o n . n e t
URL: https://members.tripod.com/~aaron_neilson/glossary.html