annulet

American  

[an-yuh-lit] / ˈæn yə lɪt /

noun

1. Also called bandelet, bandlet.  Also called square and rabbet.  Architecture. an encircling band, molding, or fillet, as on the shaft of a column.

2. Entomology. a ring, usually colored, around or on the surface of an organ.

3. Heraldry. a ring, represented as a voided roundel, used especially as the cadence mark of a fifth son.

---

annulet British  

/ ˈænjʊlɪt /

noun

1. architect a moulding in the form of a ring, as at the top of a column adjoining the capital

2. heraldry a ring-shaped device on a shield; hollow roundel

3. a little ring

---

Etymology

Origin of annulet

1565–75; < Latin annul ( us ) ring ( annulus ) + -et; replacing earlier anlet < Anglo-French anelet, diminutive of Old French anel ring < Latin ānellus ring

Example Sentences

The Pakingtons of Worcester quarter Ermine on a fesse componé or, and az. an annulet for Arden.

From Shakespeare's Family by Stopes, C. C. (Charlotte Carmichael)

Thus, the eldest son bears a label; the second a crescent; the third a mullet; the fourth a martlet; the fifth an annulet; and the sixth a fleur-de-lis.

From The Curiosities of Heraldry by Lower, Mark Antony

In the church at Stepney is a tomb to the memory of Lady Rebecca Berry, who died 1696, in whose coat-of-arms a fish and an annulet appear.

From Rambles of an Archaeologist Among Old Books and in Old Places Being Papers on Art, in Relation to Archaeology, Painting, Art-Decoration, and Art-Manufacture by Fairholt, F. W. (Frederick William)

Rochford Quarterly &c. an annulet on the 2nd quarter Rochford B. crucilly a lyon rampant arg. bis   Arg.

From Records of Woodhall Spa and Neighbourhood Historical, Anecdotal, Physiographical, and Archaeological, with Other Matter by Walter, James Conway

Thomas le Scrope, on the other hand, for Cadency marks the golden bend upon his azure Shield, No. 111, with an annulet sable, as in No. 353.

From The Handbook to English Heraldry by Utting, R. B.