escutcheon

escutcheon
escutcheoned, adj.
/i skuch"euhn/, n.
1. a shield or shieldlike surface on which a coat of arms is depicted. See illus. under coat of arms.
2. an ornamental or protective plate around a keyhole, door handle, drawer pull, light switch, etc.
3. Naut. a panel on the stern of a vessel bearing its name and port of registry.
4. blot on one's escutcheon, a stain on one's reputation; disgrace.
[1470-80; < ONF escuchon L scutum shield]

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      in furniture design, an armorial shield sometimes applied to the centre of pediments on pieces of fine furniture and, also, the metal plate that surrounds a keyhole or the pivoting metal plate that sometimes covers the keyhole. The keyhole escutcheon has been used on cabinets and desks since the European Middle Ages, the designs matching the other metal mounts, such as hinges, and varying according to the fashions of the day. Early escutcheons were of wrought iron and might be quite plain, simply serving to prevent wear. From the 17th century, brass, which could be worked in finer designs, was used on fine furniture. For the most lavish designs, ormolu (gilded bronze or cast brass decoration) was used, especially in 18th-century France.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Escutcheon — Es*cutch eon, n. [OF. escusson, F. [ e]cusson, from OF. escu shield, F. [ e]cu. See {Esquire}, {Scutcheon}.] 1. (Her.) The surface, usually a shield, upon which bearings are marshaled and displayed. The surface of the escutcheon is called the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Escutcheon — may refer to: * Escutcheon (heraldry) a term used in heraldry for the shield displayed in a coat of arms. * Escutcheon in medicine, refers to the male or female distribution of pubic hair. * Escutcheon (furniture) an architectural item of door… …   Wikipedia

  • escutcheon — ► NOUN 1) a shield or emblem bearing a coat of arms. 2) a flat piece of metal framing a keyhole, door handle, or light switch. ● a blot on one s escutcheon Cf. ↑a blot on one s escutcheon ORIGIN Old French escuchon, from Latin scutum shield …   English terms dictionary

  • escutcheon — [e skuch′ən, iskuch′ən] n. [NormFr escuchon < VL * scutio < L scutum, shield < ? IE base * skeu , to cover > SKY] 1. a shield or shield shaped surface on which a coat of arms is displayed 2. something shaped like an escutcheon; specif …   English World dictionary

  • escutcheon — late 15c., from O.N.Fr. escuchon, variant of O.Fr. escusson, from V.L. *scutionem, from L. scutum shield (see HIDE (Cf. hide) (n.1)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • escutcheon — n. 1) an armorial escutcheon 2) (misc.) (humorous) a blot on one s escutcheon * * * [ɪ skʌtʃ(ə)n] (misc.) (humorous) a blot on one s escutcheon an armorial escutcheon …   Combinatory dictionary

  • escutcheon — [ɪ skʌtʃ(ə)n, ɛ ] noun 1》 a shield or emblem bearing a coat of arms. 2》 a flat piece of metal framing a keyhole, door handle, or light switch. Phrases a blot on one s escutcheon a stain on one s reputation or character. escutcheon of pretence a… …   English new terms dictionary

  • escutcheon — UK [ɪˈskʌtʃ(ə)n] / US [ɪˈskʌtʃən] noun [countable] Word forms escutcheon : singular escutcheon plural escutcheons a shield decorated with someone s coat of arms …   English dictionary

  • escutcheon — (Roget s IV) n. Syn. shield, coat of arms, crest; see arms 2 , badge 2 . • a blot on one s escutcheon, Syn. stain, stigma, disgrace; see scandal …   English dictionary for students

  • escutcheon — n 1. shield, heraldic shield, scutcheon, Chiefly Brit. hatchment, Heraldry. lozenge. 2. blot on one’s escutcheon shame, disgrace, dishonor, disrepute; stigma, stain, tarnish, smirch, smudge, spot, blot; skeleton in one s closet …   A Note on the Style of the synonym finder

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