escutcheon

[ ih-skuhch-uhn ]
See synonyms for escutcheon on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a shield or shieldlike surface on which a coat of arms is depicted.

  2. an ornamental or protective plate around a keyhole, door handle, drawer pull, light switch, etc.

  1. Nautical. a panel on the stern of a vessel bearing its name and port of registry.

Idioms about escutcheon

  1. blot on one's escutcheon, a stain on one's reputation; disgrace.

Origin of escutcheon

1
1470–80; <Old North French escuchon ≪ Latin scūtum shield

Other words from escutcheon

  • es·cutch·eoned, adjective
  • un·es·cutch·eoned, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for escutcheon

escutcheon

/ (ɪˈskʌtʃən) /


noun
  1. a shield, esp a heraldic one that displays a coat of arms

  2. Also called: escutcheon plate a plate or shield that surrounds a keyhole, door handle, light switch, etc, esp an ornamental one protecting a door or wall surface

  1. the place on the stern or transom of a vessel where the name is shown

  2. blot on one's escutcheon a stain on one's honour

Origin of escutcheon

1
C15: from Old Northern French escuchon, ultimately from Latin scūtum shield

Derived forms of escutcheon

  • escutcheoned, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012