1. A piece of mail or armor that hangs from a helmet to protect the neck and shoulders.
Usage: historical; also spelled 'avantail'

Examples

• The knight's helmet was fitted with a long aventail to shield his neck in battle.
• Medieval soldiers often wore aventails made of interlocking metal rings.
• The aventail hung down from the base of the helmet, providing crucial protection.
• Armorers carefully crafted aventails to ensure they moved freely with the wearer's shoulders.