Shinguards

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Protective padding worn over the front of the lower legs to guard against kicks and impacts during sports like soccer
2. Hard cushioned coverings strapped to the shins of players to absorb blows during football, hockey or cricket matches
3. Pads worn on the lower legs by athletes, especially soccer players, to shield the shinbones from injury during play

Etymology: "Shinguards" is simply the plural of "shinguard," a protective pad worn over the front of the lower leg, and the word is a plain compound of two English words. "Shin" comes from Old English "scinu," the bone at the front of the leg, and "guard" entered English from Old French "garde," meaning watch, protection or defence. Put together, the name describes exactly what the object does: it guards the shin.

Synonyms: shin pads, leg guards