cartouche

or car·touch

[ kahr-toosh ]

noun

1. Architecture. a rounded, convex surface, usually surrounded with carved ornamental scrollwork, for receiving a painted or low-relief decoration, as an escutcheon.
2. an oval or oblong figure, as on ancient Egyptian monuments, enclosing characters that represent the name of a sovereign.
3. the case containing the inflammable materials in certain fireworks.
4. cartridge ( def 1 ).
5. a box for cartridges.

cartouche

/ kɑːˈtuːʃ /

noun

1. a carved or cast ornamental tablet or panel in the form of a scroll, sometimes having an inscription
2. an oblong figure enclosing characters expressing royal or divine names in Egyptian hieroglyphics
3. the paper case holding combustible materials in certain fireworks
4. rare.
   a cartridge or a box for cartridges

Word History and Origins

Origin of cartouche¹

1605–15; < Middle French < Italian cartoccio, equivalent to cart ( a ) paper ( carte ) + -occio augmentative suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of cartouche¹

C17: from French: scroll, cartridge, from Italian cartoccio, from carta paper; see card ¹

Example Sentences

Among later victims was the famous Cartouche, of whom Thackeray wrote so entertainingly.

From Project Gutenberg

So when the keeper made young Dumas a present of Pyramus, he thought he had better bestow Cartouche on him as well.

From Project Gutenberg

It was lying with his cartouche-box right away by the stunted oak, as he mentally called the cork-tree.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, as he saw Punch busily taking possession of musket and cartouche-belt, he followed his example.

From Project Gutenberg

The only new hieroglyph is the pylon, rendered An in the cartouche.

From Project Gutenberg