Clad in, protected by, or covered with armour (armour, n. 2a); spec. (of a warship) covered wholly or partly with thick defensive metal plates (now…

Of a warship: protected by plates of iron or steel; = ironclad, adj. 2. Now historical.

Of a warship: covered wholly or partly with thick plates of iron or steel as a defence against shot, shells, etc.; armour-plated. Cf. armour-clad…

spec. Of a warship: protected by plates of iron or steel; = ironclad, adj. 2.

Of a warship: having sides strengthened with plates of iron or steel; = ironclad, adj. 2. Cf. Ironside, n. 4. Now historical.

Of a warship, military vehicle, aircraft, etc.: covered with or protected by armour or armour plating. Cf. armour-clad, adj. 1.

Of a warship: = ironclad, adj. 2. Obsolete.

Armed with mail; mail-clad; (of a vessel) ironclad. Also figurative (see also mailed fist n. at compounds).

Of a ship, vehicle, etc.: covered with or protected by armour plating.

Of ships, etc.: Armour-plated.

Designating a (type of) warship fitted with a layer of thick metal armour plating around the outside or (less commonly) inside of the hull; see belt…

Of a military vehicle: outfitted with additional armour.