genouillere
(ʒənujɛr)
Also 4 genyllere, 9 genouilliere.
[a. F. genouillère, f. OF. genouil (F. genou) knee:—pop. L. *genuclum, f. genu knee.]
1. A flexible piece of armour for covering the knees, with joints like those of a lobster.
| c 1380 Sir Ferumb. 5631 Þe strok ys ferþer wente..And ful opon ys genyllere. 1850 Boutell in Gentl. Mag. CXX. ii. 44 The knees are guarded by genouillières of peculiar form. |
2. Fortification. (See quots.)
| 1802 in C. James Milit. Dict. 1851 J. S. Macaulay Field Fortif. 78 That part of the interior slope of the parapet immediately beneath the embrasures is called the genouillère. 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk., Genouillere, that part of a battery which remains above the platform, and under the gun after the opening of the embrasure. Of course a knee-step. |