meaning of breastplate
1. A plate of metal covering the breast as defensive armor.
2. A piece against which the workman presses his breast in operating a breast drill, or other similar tool.
3. A strap that runs across a horses breast.
4. A part of the vestment of the high priest, worn upon the front of the ephod. It was a double piece of richly embroidered stuff, a span square, set with twelve precious stones, on which were engraved the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. See Ephod.