Cat"a*phract (?), n. [L. cataphractes, Gr. , fr. covered, fr. to cover; down, wholly + to inclose.]
1. Mil. Antiq.
Defensive armor used for the whole body and often for the horse, also, esp. the linked mail or scale armor of some eastern nations.
2.
A horseman covered with a cataphract.
Archers and slingers, cataphracts, and spears.
Milton.
3. Zool.
The armor or plate covering some fishes.
© Webster 1913.