ESCUTCHEON

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does escutcheon mean? 

• ESCUTCHEON (noun)
  The noun ESCUTCHEON has 3 senses:

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

2. (nautical) a plate on a ship's stern on which the name is inscribed

3. a shield; especially one displaying a coat of arms

  Familiarity information: ESCUTCHEON used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ESCUTCHEON (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

escutcheon; finger plate; scutcheon

Hypernyms ("escutcheon" is a kind of...):

protection; protective cover; protective covering (a covering that is intend to protect from damage or injury)

Sense 2

Meaning:

(nautical) a plate on a ship's stern on which the name is inscribed

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("escutcheon" is a kind of...):

plate (a sheet of metal or wood or glass or plastic)

Domain category:

navigation; sailing; seafaring (the work of a sailor)

Holonyms ("escutcheon" is a part of...):

after part; poop; quarter; stern; tail (the rear part of a ship)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A shield; especially one displaying a coat of arms

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

escutcheon; scutcheon

Hypernyms ("escutcheon" is a kind of...):

buckler; shield (armor carried on the arm to intercept blows)

 Context examples 

“Argent,” Alleyne answered, “a fess azure charged with three lozenges dividing three mullets sable. Over all, on an escutcheon of the first, a jambe gules.”

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Here and there a small escutcheon, peeping from a glassless window, marked the night's lodging of knight or baron.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The older soldiers among the English shook their heads as they looked upon the escutcheons of these famous warriors, for they were all men who had spent their lives upon the saddle, and bravery and strength can avail little against experience and wisdom of war.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Over the door the travellers could discern the escutcheon of the Montacutes, a roebuck gules on a field argent, flanked on either side by smaller shields which bore the red roses of the veteran constable.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)