kneelet

[They] would have dreaded nothing more than that her ridiculous distress should become publicly known, if they had worn genouillères, that is to say, knee-pieces. A necessary part of a suit of armour was distinguished by this name in the days of chivalry; and the article of dress which corresponds to it may be called kneelets, if for a new article we strike a new word in that mint of analogy, from which whatever is lawfully coined comes forth as the King’s English.