close helmet: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareHistorical, Academic, Technical (Arms & Armour), Literary
Quick answer
What does “close helmet” mean?
A type of helmet from the medieval and Renaissance periods, especially of the 16th–17th centuries, that completely encloses the wearer's head and face, typically with a hinged or pivoting visor.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of helmet from the medieval and Renaissance periods, especially of the 16th–17th centuries, that completely encloses the wearer's head and face, typically with a hinged or pivoting visor.
A term used by historical arms and armour scholars to describe the fully enclosing helmet that succeeded the great helm, representing the peak of personal head protection before the decline of plate armour.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional differences in meaning or usage. The term is used identically in British and American academic and museum contexts.
Connotations
Technical, precise, historical. Used by historians, reenactors, and in museum catalogues.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties. Almost exclusively found in specialised texts.
Grammar
How to Use “close helmet” in a Sentence
The knight donned [a close helmet].The armoury displayed [an Italian close helmet] from [the 1550s].[A close helmet with a falling buffe] offered [superior protection].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in historical, art historical, and archaeological papers discussing European armour development.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Might appear in historical fiction or video games.
Technical
Standard term in arms and armour cataloguing, typology, and description for museums and collectors.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “close helmet”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “close helmet”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “close helmet”
- Mispronouncing 'close' as /kləʊz/ (like the verb). The correct pronunciation is /kləʊs/ (like the adjective meaning 'near').
- Using it to refer to any modern full-face helmet (e.g., for motorsports).
- Thinking it's a verb phrase (e.g., 'to close the helmet').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The great helm (12th–14th century) was a cylindrical helmet worn over a mail coif. The close helmet (15th–17th century) was more form-fitting, articulated, and often hinged, representing a later, more advanced design.
No. It is a strictly historical term. A modern full-face helmet should be called just that: a 'full-face helmet' or 'integral helmet'.
Pronounce it like the adjective 'close' (/kləʊs/ in RP, /kloʊs/ in GenAm), rhyming with 'dose', not like the verb 'to close' (/kləʊz/).
A pivoting or hinged visor that opens and closes, allowing the wearer to seal the faceplate completely. It often includes a 'falling buffe'—a lower face guard that hinges down.
A type of helmet from the medieval and Renaissance periods, especially of the 16th–17th centuries, that completely encloses the wearer's head and face, typically with a hinged or pivoting visor.
Close helmet is usually historical, academic, technical (arms & armour), literary in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms. Historical/Literary use only]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a knight CLOSING the visor on his helmet—it becomes a CLOSE HELMET, sealing him in completely.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROTECTION IS ENCLOSURE; SECURITY IS BEING SEALED IN.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'close' mean in the term 'close helmet'?