escutcheon

American  

[ih-skuhch-uhn] / ɪˈskʌtʃ ən /

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.

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

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idioms

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

escutcheon British  

/ 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

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

4. a stain on one's honour

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Other Word Forms

• escutcheoned adjective
• unescutcheoned adjective

Etymology

Origin of escutcheon

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

Explanation

An escutcheon is a shield with a particular family's coat of arms on it. Long ago, knights carried escutcheons into battle. Escutcheon comes from the Old French escusson, which was both a "half-crown coin" and also a "coat of arms," from a Latin root meaning "shield." An escutcheon can be an actual shield, held as defense from an opponent's sword, or the shape of a shield, especially when it's part of a coat of arms. A more modern meaning of this word is "flat metal around a keyhole," a piece of hardware with a vaguely shield-like shape.

Example Sentences

For a modern apartment in a Nashville high-rise, however, he chose a streamlined lever with a flat profile and square escutcheon from Nanz: “It’s a modern lever, done in a clean and simple way.”

From Seattle Times • Nov. 22, 2019

Henry’s blazon is even more traditional than his wife’s; here’s just the part dealing with the escutcheon:

From Slate • May 26, 2018

He wrote again, rejecting Jefferson’s view that “the difficult work of cleansing the escutcheon of Virginia” should fall solely upon young men like himself.

From Salon • Apr. 24, 2016

Think of pretentiousness as holding something in front of you, like actors wearing masks in ancient Greek tragedy, or medieval knights presenting their escutcheon.

From The Guardian • Feb. 21, 2016

Like a new Boy Scout, transported with enthusiasm, he would have stuck the cross on his escutcheon, on his coat, on his helm, on his saddle, and on the horse’s curb.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White