morion

Definition

A kind of open brimmed helmet used by footsoldiers in the 16th and 17th centuries, having no visor or bevor.

Etymology

From Middle French morion, from, Spanish morrión, from morra (“upper part of the head”), from morro (“muzzle, snout”), from Vulgar Latin *murrum (“muzzle, snout”). Related to moraine (“an amassment of rocks on a glacier”).

Example Sentences

• "The Roman footmen caried not their morions, sword and target only, as for other armes (saith Cicero) they were so accustomed to weare them continually, that they hindered them no more than their limbs[…]."
• "This unlucky defect, however, his industry supplied by a vizor, which he made of paste-board, and fixed so artificially to the morrion, that it looked like an intire helmet."
• "The morion is a kind of open helmet, without visor or bever, somewhat resembling a hat; it was commonly worn by the harqubussiers and musqueteers."