close helmet

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• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈkləʊs ˈhɛlmət/, /ˈkləʊz-/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈkloʊs ˈhɛlmət/, /ˈkloʊz-/

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close helmet (plural close helmets)

1. (historical) A helmet that entirely covers the head, including the face.
   • 1786, Francis Grose, A Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons, page 7:

     A close helmet entirely covers the head, face, and neck, having on the front perforations for the admission of air, and slits through which the wearer may see objects around him, this part which is stiled the visor lifts up by means of a pivot over each ear.

• In modern discussions of historical armor, a distinction is often drawn between a close helmet, where the visor and (single) bevor swing forward to open the helmet so it can be put on, and an armet, in which the left and right cheek plates swing apart to the left and right (upwards or backwards) to permit the helmet to be put on. In the Late Middle Ages and Renaissance, when such helmets were in use, the terms were sometimes used interchangeably.

• bevor