Corazze

Corazze is the Italian plural of corazza, a term used to denote a protective covering designed to guard against injury. The word covers a range of meanings, including armor worn by people, shells or protective plates on animals, and protective casings in machinery or structures. In everyday language, corazze can refer to any solid external layer that provides defense or containment.

Historically, the concept of corazza played a central role in Italian and European military technology. In medieval and early modern Italy, a cuirass and related armor components formed the core of a knight’s protection. Corazze evolved from early plate and mail systems to more sophisticated, articulated suits during the 14th to 16th centuries, with regional variations and distinct forging traditions. Armor was not only functional but also a symbol of status and craftsmanship.

Beyond human armor, corazze describe hard protective shells in biology. In Italian scientific and popular writing, the term can refer to the shells of turtles, armadillos, certain mollusks, or armored exoskeletons in various creatures. The concept likewise extends to metaphorical uses, where a “corazza” denotes a defensive layer around a person, a group, or a system.

In modern contexts, corazze are found in technology and defense. The phrase “corazza balistica” is used to describe ballistic armor, while terms for vehicle or equipment protection often borrow the idea of a reinforcing shell or plating. The plural corazze thus encompasses historical armor, natural shells, and contemporary protective enclosures, illustrating the broad semantic range of the term in Italian.