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greaves

Apparel
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Greaves are protective armor worn on the legs, typically made of metal or leather, used in historical warfare.

Detailed Definition
Greaves were commonly used by soldiers in ancient and medieval times to protect their lower legs during battle. In the poem, their mention alongside other armor pieces emphasizes the martial context and the physicality of the characters involved, enhancing the themes of struggle and loss.
Example
Example in poetry:
"...the curious knee-cap, fitted above the wrought greaves,..." (armor for the shin); "The knight donned his greaves and gauntlets" (armor); "The greaves of polished steel" (description); "His greaves clattered on the stone" (sound); "Greaves from the ancient Roman legion" (historical)
Additional Notes
The term 'greaves' highlights the martial imagery in the poem, connecting the physical protection of warriors to the emotional battles faced by the characters.; Found in the poem, Loss by Hilda Doolittle
Also Known As
leg armor shin guards knightly greaves protective plates
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