Escutcheon

Quick meaning: Escutcheon is a noun meaning (heraldry) The shield on which a coat of arms is displayed, or, by extension, the coat of arms itself.

Meaning

(heraldry) The shield on which a coat of arms is displayed, or, by extension, the coat of arms itself.

More Meanings

1. (heraldry) A small shield used to charge a larger one.
2. (medicine) The pattern of distribution of hair upon the pubic mound.
3. (nautical) The part of a ship's stern where its name is displayed.
4. The insignia around a doorknob's exterior hardware or a door lock's cosmetic plate.
5. The depression behind the beak of certain bivalves; the ligamental area.
6. 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 was once taken as an index of milking qualities.
7. A decorative or protective plate or bezel designed to fill the gap between a switch, pipe, valve, control knob, etc., and the surface from which it protrudes.

Example Sentences

Meronyms: field, charge, emblem

The milk-mirror, or escutcheon, is formed by the hair above the udder, extending upwards between the thighs, […]

The hair becomes darker and coarser during pubic hair stage 3, spreading over the pubic symphysis with gradual progression to a full female escutcheon.

He dies: his very coffin is comfortable; the very vault of his ancestors is sheltered; a funeral sermon is preached in his honour; and escutcheon and marble tablet do their best to preserve his memory.

Word Forms

• escutcheons
• escocheon
• escutchion

Synonyms for escutcheon

Depending on context, synonyms include shield, scutcheon.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include scutcheon, achievement, chief, armiger, quartering, heraldry.

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