escutcheon
/ɪˈskʌtʃ(ə)n
/ /ɛˈskʌtʃ(ə)n/noun
1A shield or emblem bearing a coat of arms.As weaponry began to render body armor obsolete, coats of arms were scaled down and used on tunics and caps, still in the form of the escutcheon or shield....
- The trappings of male finery included plumed helmets, heavy epaulettes, long swords, tassels, braid, knee-high boots, gleaming escutcheons, white gloves, white trousers.
- Written in Gothic letters of gold leaf, the composer's name on the portrait above his left shoulder recalls the style of the escutcheons of the knights of the Golden Fleece.
2 (also escutcheon plate) A flat piece of metal for protection and often ornamentation, around a keyhole, door handle, or light switch.Made of highly figured mahogany it retains its original large brass handles and keyhole escutcheons....
- According to these orders, Robinson supplied fifty mortise locks, thirty-six pairs of octagonal glass knobs, twelve plain knob sets, and forty-eight escutcheons.
- Over the years chairs have lost casters or the casters have lost their leather wraps; chests are without pulls, escutcheons, and decorative mounts; and the hinges of secretary doors have vanished.
Phrases
a blot on one's escutcheon
escutcheon of pretence
Derivatives
escutcheoned
Origin
Late 15th century: from Anglo-Norman French escuchon, based on Latin scutum 'shield'.