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.