Definition of Escutcheon

1. Noun. A flat protective covering (on a door or wall etc) to prevent soiling by dirty fingers.


2. Noun. (nautical) a plate on a ship's stern on which the name is inscribed.
Category relationships: Navigation, Sailing, Seafaring
Generic synonyms: Plate
Group relationships: After Part, Poop, Quarter, Stern, Tail

3. Noun. A shield; especially one displaying a coat of arms.
Exact synonyms: Scutcheon
Generic synonyms: Buckler, Shield

Definition of Escutcheon

1. n. The surface, usually a shield, upon which bearings are marshaled and displayed. The surface of the escutcheon is called the field, the upper part is called the chief, and the lower part the base (see Chiff, and Field.). That side of the escutcheon which is on the right hand of the knight who bears the shield on his arm is called dexter, and the other side sinister.

Definition of Escutcheon

1. Noun. (heraldry) An individual or corporate coat of arms. ¹

2. Noun. A decorative and/or protective plate or bezel to fill the gap between a switch, pipe, valve, control knob, etc., and the surface from which it protrudes. ¹

3. Noun. The insignia around a doorknob's exterior hardware or a door lock's cosmetic plate. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Escutcheon

1. [n -S]

Medical Definition of Escutcheon

1. 1. The surface, usually a shield, upon which bearings are marshaled and displayed. The surface of the escutcheon is called the field, the upper part is called the chief, and the lower part the base (see Chiff, and Field). That side of the escutcheon which is on the right hand of the knight who bears the shield on his arm is called dexter, and the other side sinister. The two sides of an escutcheon are respectively designated as dexter and sinister, as in the cut, and the different parts or points by the following names: A, Dexter chief point; B, Middle chief point; C, Sinister chief point; D, Honor or colour point; E, Fesse or heart point; F, Nombrill or navel point; G, Dexter base point; H, Middle base point; I, base point. 2. A marking upon the back of a cow's udder and the space above it (the perineum), formed by the hair growing upward or outward instead of downward. It is esteemed an index of milking qualities. 3. That part of a vessel's stern on which her name is written. 4. A thin metal plate or shield to protect wood, or for ornament, as the shield around a keyhole. 5. The depression behind the beak of certain bivalves; the ligamental area. Escutcheon of pretense, an escutcheon used in English heraldry to display the arms of the bearer's wife; not commonly used unless she an heiress. Cf. Impalement. Origin: OF. Escusson, F. Ecusson, from OF. Escu shield, F. Ecu. See Esquire, Scutcheon. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Escutcheon

escrow
escrow funds
escrowed
escrowing
escrows
escuage
escuages
escudo
escudos
esculapian
esculent
esculents
esculic
esculic acid
esculin
escutcheon (current term)
escutcheon pin
escutcheoned
escutcheons
esemplastic
eseridine
eserine
eserine aminoxide
eserine oxide
eserine salicylate
eserines
eses
esguard
esguards

Literary usage of Escutcheon

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The British Herald Or, Cabinet of Armorial Bearings of the Nobility & Gentry by Thomas Robson (1830)
"Over all, in pale, four escutcheons : first, in chief, an escutcheon az. a sceptre, in pale, or; over the escutcheon, an electoral cap ppr. as the badge of ..."

2. A Dictionary of Science, Literature, & Art: Comprising the Definitions and by William Thomas Brande, George William Cox (1867)
"The points of the escutcheon are the parts named in order to express the local position of the charges borne on the field. [CHARGE. ..."

3. Encyclopaedia Britannica; Or A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and (1823)
"I. When the coats-of-arms of a married couple, descended of distinct families, are to be put together in one escutcheon, the field of their respective arms ..."

4. An Introduction to Heraldry: Containing the Origin and Use of Arms; Rules by Hugh Clark, Thomas Wormull (1854)
"The field -of the escutcheon is divided into nine integral parts, ... They are termed the points of the escutcheon, and are clearly illustrated below, ..."

5. History of Central America by Hubert Howe Bancroft (1887)
"NATIONAL FLAG AND escutcheon—ORDER OF SANTA ... foot.8 Early in 1868 Medina and congress, with the appro- 2 The escutcheon was to be the same as formerly, ..."

6. Building Construction and Superintendence by Frank Eugene Kidder (1915)
"escutcheon-PLATES. These are now made almost always of steel, wrought or cast brass or bronze, plain, and in the various ornamental finishes. ..."

7. Guenon on Milch Cows: A Treatise Upon the Bovine Species in General by Franco̧is Guènon (1883)
"The escutcheon, as stated above, has two ascending horns, ... The escutcheon, as in the previous classes, starts from the middle of the four teats, ..."

Other Resources:

Search for Escutcheon on Dictionary.com!Search for Escutcheon on Thesaurus.com!Search for Escutcheon on Google!Search for Escutcheon on Wikipedia!

Search