Definition of "cataphract" in English

noun

1. (military, historical) Defensive armour covering the entire body of a soldier and often the soldier's horse as well, especially the linked mail or scale armour of some eastern nations.

2. (ichthyology, by extension, obsolete) An outer covering of some fish resembling armour or plate.

adjective

1. (nautical, historical) Of a galley such as a trireme: with the upper tier of rowers shielded rather than exposed.

noun

1. (military, historical) A soldier (especially a horseman) covered with a cataphract (etymology 1, sense 1).

2. A galley with the upper tier of rowers shielded.