Armour plating is a type of protective covering used on vehicles, ships, and buildings. The word is spelled with the British spelling for "armour" and the American spelling for "plating". The phonetic transcription of "armor plating" is /ˈɑːmər ˈpleɪtɪŋ/ for the British English pronunciation and /ˈɑːrmər ˈpleɪtɪŋ/ for the American English pronunciation. The word "armor" is pronounced with the long "a" sound and the stress is on the first syllable. "Plating" is pronounced with a long "a" sound and the stress is on the second syllable.
Armor plating refers to a type of protective covering usually made of metal, designed to shield or reinforce a specific object or structure against various forms of damage or attack. It provides a durable and resistant barrier that can withstand high impact forces, projectiles, or other destructive agents. Commonly used in military applications, armor plating is also utilized in civilian sectors for protective purposes, such as vehicles, buildings, or personal equipment.
The thickness and composition of armor plating can vary depending on the intended use and level of protection required. It is typically constructed using strong and resilient materials like steel, titanium, or ceramic, which can efficiently absorb or deflect aggressive forces. The plating can be implemented as a standalone component or integrated into a larger composite structure, enhancing the resistance capabilities of the object or structure it is installed on.
Armor plating is employed to safeguard against a range of hazards, including firearms, explosions, shrapnel, or even natural disasters like earthquakes. The primary purpose is to diminish the potential for harm or destruction to the object or its occupants by minimizing the impact forces or effectively redirecting them. In military applications, armor plating can be found on vehicles, aircraft, ships, or personnel carriers, providing essential protection to military personnel and equipment in combat scenarios. Additionally, armoring vehicles used by civilians, such as cash-in-transit vans or celebrity automobiles, often utilize armor plating to enhance security and protection.
The word "armor" has its roots in Middle English, derived from the Old French word "armure", meaning "arms, equipment, or defensive covering". This term originated from the Latin word "armatura", which also refers to armor or military equipment. In turn, "armatura" comes from the Latin word "arma", meaning "arms" or "weapons".
The term "plating" comes from the Old French word "plate", which means "plate, sheet, or layer". It can be traced back to the Latin word "platus", meaning "flat" or "wide".
Therefore, the etymology of "armor plating" indicates a combination of the French and Latin origins of "armor" and "plating", respectively, to refer to the protective layer or plates used in armors.