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

Mahommed, aroused by the tumult, threw on his light armor, and rushed out in time to hear the cry of his assailant, and pluck the banderole from its place.

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

No plume or nobloy fluttered from his plain tilting salade, and even his lance was devoid of the customary banderole.

From The White Company by Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir

From the extremity of which fluttered a small banderole or streamer bearing a cross.

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

A giant replica of the Bureau's cap-emblem—the Federal eagle clutching between his talons a banderole bearing the motto, 'Tis More Blessed to Give Than Receive—had been mounted on the center wall, the place of honor.

From The Great Potlatch Riots by Lang, Allen Kim

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