ailette

Ailette is a term derived from Old French, meaning "little wing." Historically, it referred to a piece of armor that protected the shoulders and upper chest, often made of overlapping metal plates or mail. These were typically attached to a gorget or a breastplate and served to deflect blows from above. While the term ailette is most commonly associated with medieval European armor, similar protective elements for the shoulders existed in various forms across different cultures and time periods. The design and construction of ailettes varied, evolving with the development of offensive and defensive weaponry. Later iterations sometimes incorporated decorative elements, but their primary function remained protection. The term itself became less common as armor designs shifted towards more integrated cuirasses and pauldrons. In contemporary usage, "ailette" might occasionally appear in historical fiction or discussions of historical reenactment.