A front piece or part of something, especially the forward section of a garment or armor.
From 'fore-' (front) and 'piece' (from Old French 'piece,' meaning a bit or portion). Medieval armorers used this term for the front plate of breastplates.
Medieval knights' forepieces were the most heavily reinforced part of their armor because enemies would naturally aim for the chest—so the 'forepiece' became the most technologically advanced part, receiving new designs and improvements first.
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