Bandoliers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of shoulder belt designed for holding ammunition or supplies allows for convenient access during active duty or hunting
2. This accessory is a cross-body strap that carries pouches or cartridges, enhancing the ease of access to essential items
3. A form of belt with loops or holders meant to carry ammunition or other gear, facilitating quick retrieval during tactical situations or outdoor activities

Etymology: "Bandoliers" is the plural of "bandolier," the cross-body strap studded with pockets or loops for cartridges. The singular entered English through Middle French "bandoulliere," which was itself borrowed from Catalan "bandolera," a word built on "bandoler," a member of an armed band of men. That Catalan root goes back to "bàndol," meaning a band, faction or party, which traces to Old Spanish "bando," a proclamation or faction. The word therefore first named a man's association with a group, and the strap came later. The shift from person to accessory is the surprising part. The feminine ending in "bandolera" marks the word as a derivative, so the strap was named for the bandit's sash or belt, the item that marked a member of a roving company. Over time the word lost its link to the men and kept only the gear they wore across their chests.

Synonyms: cartridge belts, ammunition belts