ppl. a. Clad in, or protected by, armor. Ellipt. as sb. A vessel of war protected by a sheathing of iron or steel. Cf. ironclad.
1861. Charleston Daily Courier, 27 March, 1/2. The framing of the vessel forward and aft of the armor-clad part is formed of angle iron, with floor plates in the usual way.
1869. in Eng. Mech., 1 Oct., 32/2. Like an armour-clad war steamer.
1881. Edin. Rev., Jan., 35. There was an active demand for armour-clads.
