aventail

[ˈævənteɪl]

aventail Definition

a piece of chainmail attached to a helmet to protect the neck and lower face.

Using aventail: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "aventail" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The knight's aventail protected his neck and lower face from sword strikes.

  • Example

    The museum displayed a collection of medieval helmets with aventails.

Phrases with aventail

  • lift one's aventail

    to reveal one's true intentions or feelings, especially after concealing them

    Example

    After months of hiding his emotions, he finally lifted his aventail and confessed his love for her.

  • in secret or hidden from view

    Example

    The conspirators planned their attack under the aventail of darkness.

  • a movable part of a helmet that covers the face, also known as a visor

    Example

    The knight raised his ventail to get a better view of the battlefield.

Origins of aventail

from Old French 'aventaille', meaning 'little window'

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Summary: aventail in Brief

An 'aventail' [ˈævənteɪl] is a piece of chainmail attached to a helmet to protect the neck and lower face. It was commonly used in medieval times by knights and soldiers. Phrases like 'lift one's aventail' and 'under the aventail' use 'aventail' metaphorically to denote revealing one's true intentions or being hidden from view, respectively.