from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Cataphract \Cat"a*phract\ (k[a^]t"[.a]*fr[a^]kt), n. [L.
cataphractes, Gr. ?, fr. ? covered, fr. ? to cover; kata`
down, wholly + fra`ssein to inclose.]
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1. (Mil. Antiq.) Defensive armor used for the whole body and
often for the horse, also, esp. the linked mail or scale
armor of some eastern nations.
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2. A horseman covered with a cataphract.
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Archers and slingers, cataphracts, and spears.
--Milton.
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3. (Zool.) The armor or plate covering some fishes.
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