banderole

American  

[ban-duh-rohl] / ˈbæn dəˌroʊl /

Also banderol,

noun

1. a small flag or streamer fastened to a lance, masthead, etc.

2. a narrow scroll, usually bearing an inscription.

3. (especially in Renaissance architecture) a sculptured band, as on a building, adapted to receive an inscription.

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banderole British  

/ ˈbændəˌrəʊl /

noun

1. a long narrow flag, usually with forked ends, esp one attached to the masthead of a ship; pennant

2. a square flag draped over a tomb or carried at a funeral

3. a ribbon-like scroll or sculptured band bearing an inscription, found esp in Renaissance architecture

4. a streamer on a knight's lance

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Etymology

Origin of banderole

1555–65; < Middle French < Italian banderuola, equivalent to bandier ( a ) banner + -uola < Latin -e- or -i- + -ola -ole ²

Explanation

The long, skinny flag or banner that flies from the mast of a ship is called a banderole. Banderole comes from the Italian word banderuola, or "little banner." That's just what these elongated flags look like, banners with forked ends that flutter off the mast of an old sailing ship or a medieval knight's lance. In architecture, a banderole is also a representation of a streamer or scroll that's engraved with text — this kind of banderole is usually carved from stone.

Example Sentences

Corti seemed not to hear, but deliberately planted the banderole, and blowing his trumpet three times, drew an arrow from the quiver at his back.

From The Prince of India — Volume 02 by Wallace, Lewis

"God and our Lady of Blacherne," they shouted, and continued shouting while he was in sight, notwithstanding he did not so much as shake the banderole on his lance in reply.

From The Prince of India — Volume 02 by Wallace, Lewis

Before his time, the soldiers merely wore a banderole over their steel breast-plates and ordinary dresses.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Vol. 60, No. 373, November 1846 by Various

Then upon the highest heap of what had been the tower of Bagdad Count Corti appeared, a black shield on his arm, his bow in one hand, his banderole in the other.

From The Prince of India — Volume 02 by Wallace, Lewis

A banderole; esp. a banner displayed at a funeral procession and set over the tomb.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages) by Webster, Noah