cartouche

American  

[kahr-toosh] / kɑrˈtuʃ /

Or cartouch

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.

5. a box for cartridges.

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cartouche British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of cartouche

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

Example Sentences

“If you inspect the birth-name cartouche closely, you see clear, underlying traces of a reed leaf,” he said in an email.

From New York Times

Some mud bricks bear the seal of King Amenhotep III’s cartouche, or name insignia.

From Seattle Times

The archaeological team dated the settlement through hieroglyphic inscriptions found on wine vessels, as well as rings, scarabs, pottery and mud bricks bearing the seals of King Amenhotep III’s cartouche, the statement said.

From Washington Post

The archaeological team dated the settlement through hieroglyphic inscriptions found on wine vessels, rings, scarabs, pottery and mud bricks bearing the seals of King Amenhotep III’s cartouche, the statement said.

From Seattle Times

They unearthed the well-preserved city that had almost complete walls and rooms filled with tools of daily life along with rings, scarabs, coloured pottery vessels and mud bricks bearing seals of Amenhotep’s cartouche.

From Reuters